The art of baseball

Libby painting joins permanent collection in Baseball Hall of Fame

Joel Libby, assistant professor of art at Walla Walla University, has had a painting of his accessioned into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s permanent collection. 

The piece is a 40-by-50-inch acrylic painting of pitcher Christy Mathewson, who was mostly known for his time spent with the New York Giants. 

Libby started exploring acrylic painting seriously in 2002 during his time as a student at WWU. He was introduced to the medium by Martha Mason, his professor at the time. In recent years, his work has been almost exclusively acrylic paintings. 

He has been a baseball fan since his childhood. “It’s a game that somehow juxtaposes a very elegant and wholesome side with a fiercely competitive and almost bellicose side,” Libby said. “It just really appeals to me.” 

The Mathewson painting is part of Libby’s series highlighting the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

“The Baseball Hall of Fame is a storied organization that does an excellent job of keeping the history of our national pastime alive and relevant,” said Libby. “I am just so honored that they chose to accession this painting to their permanent collection, and I look forward to seeing it there this coming summer.”

To read more about the details of this painting, visit the Baseball Hall of Fame website.

Posted Oct. 15, 2020

Libby's painting is currently on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.