Exhibitions
The Art of the Angle
Apr 12, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
Illustrations embellish books, and the bond between memorable fishing stories and beautiful illustrations is well established, spanning more than 500 years. Occasionally, an artist produces works of such exceptional quality they elevate a book’s impact and can even stand alone as works of art.
The Art of the Angle spotlights the original wood engravings of Barry Moser American, b. 1940), Wesley W. Bates (Canadian, b. 1952), and Chris Wormell (English, b. 1955), who supplied their remarkable artistry to a trio of essential fishing titles: Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It (1989), John N. Maclean’s Home Waters (2021), and the Centennial edition of Ernest Hemingway’s Big Two-Hearted River (2023).
These works of art from the core of the recently donated Maclean Family Illustration Collection, 1989–2023, which was gifted to the National Sporting Library & Museum by the family of John N. Maclean, the son of A River Runs Through It author Norman Maclean.
Chris Wormell (English, b. 1955), “A huge trout went high out of the water.” C. 2023. Wood engraving, 4 x 3 ½ inches. From Ernest Hemingway, Big Two-Hearted River, Foreword by John N. Maclean, The Centennial Edition (New York: Mariner Classics, 2023).
Chris Wormell (English, b. 1955), “A huge trout went high out of the water.” C. 2023. Wood engraving, 4 x 3 ½ inches. From Ernest Hemingway, Big Two-Hearted River, Foreword by John N. Maclean, The Centennial Edition (New York: Mariner Classics, 2023).
Wesley W. Bates (Canadian, c. 1952), “Paul! Paul!” c. 2021. Wood engraving, 3 x 4 inches. From John N. Maclean, Home Waters: A Chronicle of a Family and a River (New York: Custom House, 2021).
Wesley W. Bates (Canadian, c. 1952), “Paul! Paul!” c. 2021. Wood engraving, 3 x 4 inches. From John N. Maclean, Home Waters: A Chronicle of a Family and a River (New York: Custom House, 2021).
Barry Moser (American, b. 1940), Grey Quill, c. 1989. Wood engraving, 3 x 2 inches. From Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1989).
Barry Moser (American, b. 1940), Grey Quill, c. 1989. Wood engraving, 3 x 2 inches. From Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1989).
Exhibit Details
Open Apr 12, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
Location: Library