Two New Elwells now on show in Beverley

Beverley Art Gallery recently unveiled ‘In the Studio’ by local renowned artist Fred Elwell, which is a painting of his wife Mary Elwell. But St Mary’s Development Office now has a Fred Elwell painting of St Mary’s Church on show, too!

Fred Elwell was a prolific painter, so it’s not surprising that new paintings turn up every now and again. The framed painting of St Mary’s Church had been locked away in a cupboard in the church, along with a painting by Mary Elwell, when the Church Wardens decided they really would like them to be on view. Both were sent to the Treasure House which requested permission to keep the ‘Mary’ as it was considered to be a better, more valuable painting, but the ‘Fred’ was returned. The new Development Office on Wheatsheaf Lane therefore leapt at the opportunity to display the painting on its walls. 

Roland Deller, Director of Development and Anne Mansfield, Treasurer, said: “We are glad this painting isn’t hidden away in a cupboard anymore! Elwell is one of Beverley’s most cherished artists and it’s wonderful to think that he took the time and trouble to paint the church and then donated the picture to it! It’s not of massive monetary value but it is a huge asset. Would we ever sell it? No! Despite the fact we need £5.5m to repair crumbling stone work, some things are worth more than money.”

St Mary’s has many other treasures within its medieval and Tudor walls, which the Development Office are working to enable more people to experience. For example, the 625 colourful and curiously-carved bosses which show all facets of life but which are 15m high up and therefore difficult to see which are being made accessible through mirrors and digital technology; the beautifully-painted ceilings depicting a map of the heavens and the Kings of England which dates from 1445, and the carving of the White Rabbit which inspired Lewis Carrol to write ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

It’s no wonder visitor numbers are projected to rise to 25,000 a year!