Self Portrait, 1911
In the course of a prolific career as a portrait painter, during which he undertook commissions for the Royal Family, Elwell produced many self-portraits that span the whole period of his life. These culminated in his best-known and most complex self-portrait, of 1933, in which he depicts himself at his easel, brush poised and ready to paint (part of the collection now at Beverley Art Gallery). With the exception of a watercolour study painted when a student, this is Elwellâs earliest known self-portrait. Its existence was not known of at the time of the Ferensâ 1993 exhibition of his work. By the time he painted this portrait in 1911, Elwell was becoming a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy. His growing success in this period is reflected in his confident and relaxed expression. His somewhat dapper appearance made him a well-known figure around the market town of Beverley. Strong contrast of light and dark in the portrait reflect Elwellâs early studies of 17th century Dutch portraiture in Antwerp.
