RANGELEY — The legendary guide, angler, fly-caster, taxidermist and artist Herb Welch (1879-1960) was a true “Renaissance Man” and made his home just a mile from the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc. His various types of artwork now grace the walls of that museum and those of collectors from across the U.S.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Rangeley inspired paintings by contemporary artist John Swan, who captured what the region was like in Welch’s day. Swan’s paintings are highly sought after by collectors from around the globe and, like Welch, Swan fell in love with the region at first sight.
On Sunday, Aug. 5, the Outdoor Heritage Museum will open a new exhibit sharing a common although lesser known genre of art by these two exceptional artists. “Rangeley au Naturel … the Nude Studies of John Swan & Herb Welch,” will share the work of these two artists, as well as some other examples of their more widely recognized work.
Swan has created an exceptional catalog of nude studies and the museum has uncovered a portfolio of Welch’s sketches done while he was an art student in both Paris and New York. The unique exhibition will also share a sculpture and oil paintings done by Welch after he moved to Haines Landing that few have seen in 80 years.
Although art has always been an integral part of the Oquossoc museum’s exhibits, this new exhibition is clearly new territory for the regional archive that has become one of Franklin County’s more popular attractions. “We are delighted to be able share this unique exhibition featuring two highly accomplished artists from different eras,” shared Historical Society Executive Director, Bill Pierce. “They are both well-known for their Rangeley inspired work, but not so much for their anatomical studies and we hope it will attract art lovers from all over New England,” added Pierce.
The museum already shares a large collection of various types of works of art within its galleries and hopes this exhibition will attract visitors who will then experience the unique history and other outdoor related art forms the museum offers. “Rangeley au Naturel” will be offered through the museum’s closing for the 2018 season on Oct. 16.
The Rangeley Lakes Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit operating the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc and the Rangeley History Museum in downtown Rangeley to help preserve and share the region’s iconic history.
For more information, visit www.rangeleyhistoricalsociety.org or call 207-864-3091.
An early anatomical study of a statue by Herb Welch, most likely drawn while an art student in Paris (circa 1899).
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