Lauren Kraut posted: " NSL Newsletter, Fall 2009 As you know by now, the Museum is in the middle of a month-long closure in preparation for A Decade Afield: Celebrating 10 Years of the NSLM's Museum. The anniversary exhibition explores the evolution of the Museum's coll" Drawing Covert
As you know by now, the Museum is in the middle of a month-long closure in preparation for A Decade Afield: Celebrating 10 Years of the NSLM's Museum. The anniversary exhibition explores the evolution of the Museum's collections not just in the last ten years of its formal existence but including the 60+ years beforehand as part of the National Sporting Library (NSL).
Groundbreaking ceremony, NSL Newsletter, Fall 2009
Prior to the Museum's inception, there was a fine and decorative art collection that was used to decorate the walls of the NSL and The Chronicle of the Horse offices, which coexisted in the same buildings from 1954–1998. This includes portraits of illustrious sporting figures, like NSL founder George L. Ohrstrom Sr., Harry Worcester Smith, and Hugh Cecil Lowther, the 5th Earl of Lonsdale.
Former NSL reading room, NSL Newsletter, Fall 1975
Former George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Head Librarian John Connelly wrote about Lord Lonsdale in 2017 for Drawing Covert. The portrait hung in the Library for many years before retreating to storage for some much needed rest. Lord Lonsdale, along with other pre-Museum artwork, will be on display in some of the first-floor galleries in A Decade Afield.
W. Howard Robinson (English, 1864–c.1939) Lord Lonsdale, 1926 oil on canvas, 50 x 30 1/4 inches National Sporting Library & Museum, Gift of Russell Arundel, 1975
Also on the first floor are two galleries dedicated to the generous donation by Felicia Warburg Rogan. In 2006, the Vine Hill Committee was formed to explore opening an art museum. This inspired her, in 2008, to donate 15 paintings that served as the foundation for what would become the permanent collection. An official Collections Management Policy was adopted and the NSL was rebranded as the National Sporting Library & Museum.
NSL Newsletter highlighting one of Mrs. Rogan's donation, Spring 2008. John Emms' Foxhounds and Terrier in a Stable has become a visitor favorite.
The first floor of the historic wing represents the permanent collection when the Museum opened, and the second floor reflects its growth and diversification. These latter galleries will be divided thematically by sports highlighted in our mission, such as wingshooting, hunting, and angling. The large gallery upstairs will be devoted to artistic equine representation through the centuries, from the c. 1690 Horse in a Landscape by Abraham van Calraet to Joan Danziger's Black Star, 2016. The final gallery, the large downstairs gallery, will be the unveiling of recent donations on view for the first time at NSLM.
The specific path visitors are encouraged to take through the Museum honors the 2011 inaugural NSLM exhibition Afield in America: 400 Years of Animal & Sporting Art. This subtle nod is a toast to our roots and allows us to showcase the unique and rich collection that has amassed over the last ten years.
Title wall for the 2011 inaugural exhibition, Afield in America
NSLM Board Member and Afield in America Guest Curator F. Turner Reuter, Jr. with NSLM Co-Chair Jacqueline B. Mars on opening night for Afield in America
May's closure has given us the opportunity to undertake several projects, such as fixing pesky cabinet lights and adjusting finicky pedestals. There was also a building-wide paint job with new and bold colors that will guide visitors between the different sections. This large-scale paint project meant we had to remove all the paintings off the walls; it was an incredible endeavor and the intense gym days I committed to were a terrible idea in hindsight – my arms and legs were like jelly by Friday.
Gallery 4 South void of all paintings!
As we now move into the latter-half of the month, Art Handler Alex and I have begun to pull paintings from storage and place in the galleries. Deputy Director and George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Curator Claudia Pfeiffer always creates a beautiful layout but once everything is in situ, rearrangements are sometimes made: a painting may look better over here, and this sculpture fits better on a different pedestal. In an attempt to be efficient with time and opportunity, I'm hoping to perhaps get a little inventory done too!
Only a few more weeks and there is still a lot to do – not least of which is re-lighting all the galleries. Be sure to join us on June 3 for the exhibition Open House, free and open to all. The following day, June 4, will be Coffee with the Curator on a group tour led by Claudia (free for Members; $5 for Non-Members). The tour is limited to 15 people and will be available online, as well. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for announcements and RSVP info.
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