The Art of Mallets in Motion/Chukkers: the Sport of Polo in Art

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE 6/12/2012

FROM: The National Sporting Library and Museum
102 The Plains Road
Middleburg, Virginia 20117
CONTACT: Mickey Gustafson/540-687-6542, ext. 11 mgustafson@nsl.org

Caption: Thomas Sherwood LaFontaine (American, 1915 - )
Polo at Cirencester

MIDDLEBURG, VA - Chukkers: the Sport of Polo in Art, curated by the NSLM and researched by H. A. Laffaye with loans from the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, will explore the exciting game and its history with over fifty paintings and watercolors, twenty sculptures and medals, and a selection of antique trophies. Horace Laffaye, an NSLM Daniels Fellow in 2009-2010 is a major authority on the subject and the author of numerous books such as Polo in the United States: A History. The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is located in Lake Worth, Florida.

Figure 1 Haseltine

Polo has its origins in the folk games first played in central Asia and India, and the exhibition's title Chukkers refers to the modern term for the six periods of play in polo, derived from the Hindi word for "wheel."

Figure 2 LaFontaine

The exhibit focuses on works beginning in the 1880s to the present and the sport as it is played today. Dynamic and exhilarating images of action are contrasted with portraits of the sport's talented players, who were often-times also historic figures, and their winning ponies, in India, England, Argentina, and the United States. Works by Herbert Haseltine, Alexander Pope, Gilbert Holiday, Franklin Brooke Voss, and less widely known artists capture the excitement, passion, and entertainment offered by this elite and fashionable sport.

Figure 3 Holiday

There will be an "Evening at the Museum" celebration of the exhibition on Thursday, July 12, 2012, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. that is free and open to the public. RSVP 540-687-6542 or jsheehan@nsl.org.

Exhibition dates: July 12 - September 30, 2012
Museum hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Captions: All images are courtesy of the National Sporting Library and Museum.

Thomas Sherwood LaFontaine (American, 1915 - ), Polo at Cirencester

Herbert Haseltine (American, 1877 - 1962), Detail of Polo Group, 1908

Charles Gilbert Joseph Holiday (English, 1879 - 1937), Detail of Before the Game

The National Sporting Library and Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the literature, art and culture of equestrian and field sports. Founded in 1954, the institution has over 24,000-books dating from the 16th-21st centuries. The John H. Daniels Fellowship program supports the research of visiting scholars. The Museum, a newly renovated and expanded historic building on the Library campus, houses exhibits of American and European fine sporting art. Information is shared through exhibitions, lectures, seminars, publications and special events. The NSLM is open to researchers and the general public. Admission is free. Library Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Museum Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.nsl.org or call 540-687-6542. NSLM 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117

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