East Riding Museums

The artist (then aged 63), sat in a chair, brush in right hand, palette in left hand, facing easel. Dressed in grey suit and a black trilby hat. It is said that a friend, Mrs Morley, commented that Elwell's bald head should not be visible in the picture. Therefore, Fred painted in a hat to make himself look more dignified. On the other hand, a hat was probably of practical use in shading his eyes when painting. The setting is 22 Trinity Lane, Elwell's second studio. It had previously been a warehouse (the loading doors are visible in the background) and today is a shop. The studios of Elwell's nephew Kenneth and that of Walter Goodin (Fred's pupil) were situated downstairs. In a gilt wood and plaster frame.