Betty Ellwood - RIP

2022-03-29
We are currently featuring in the Gallery this painting from the Collection - 'Portrait of Elizabeth', 1942, by Christine Young. It is in memory of the sitter.
It is a portrait of Gallery supporter and Friends Committee member Betty Ellwood who died this year and is sadly missed. It shows the sitter in pensive mood. On the table are a book, map and shells, including the pilgrim's scallop shell which is complete with ribbon and so is for wearing on a journey. Beyond the arches, reminiscent of those in De Chirico's surrealist paintings, is the sea.
We do not know anything of the artist except that she was a friend of Betty's. If you can tell us more we would be grateful. We think the painting is remarkable and an enigma. We do know that Betty was involved in work at Dover in WW2...