The War Worker, 1919
The War Worker, an appealing, light-filled interior, depicts a woman serving breakfast to her daughter, who sits in a four poster bed, before setting out to work as a 'land girl'. Of particular interest is the inclusion of an electric lamp, which bathes the scene with a warm, yellow glow. The setting is Bar House, the Elwells' home, and it is known that they had purchased their own electricity generator the year before this painting was made. It is likely that Elwell was inspired by the potential this offered to his work, enabling him to contrast the clear, natural winter light entering through the window with the cosy, artificial light of the interior. The model for the young woman in the bed is Phyllis Downham, Mary Elwell's (1874-1952) god-daughter. In the same year, 1919, Phyllis also modelled for 'The New Frock', which is now in the collection of Sheffield City Art Galleries. Prior to its purchase by the Ferens, the painting, which came from a private collection in Scotland, had probably not been seen in public since it was painted in 1919. At the time of the Ferens' 1993 exhibition of Elwell's work the picture was known to exist but its actual whereabouts were unknown. Elwell expert Wendy Loncaster, whose research formed the basis of the exhibition, recognised 'The War Worker' from a description given to her by Phyllis Downham.
