New-York tribune., 1922-12-02
Collector and Critic Is Rep
resented by Own Work,
Prints, Vcriu, Rare Books.
at the American Galleries
By Royal Cortissoz

The collection now at the American
Art Galleries. formed Of the belong.
inEs Of the late Hamilton Easter Field,
might be described 40 the memorial Of
an enthusiasts man. Field cared with
all his heart sor the things Of the
mind. The fates had been generous 10
him and oil his life he had been pro.
vided with the means Of gratifying his
taste. II he could not be q master he
would at any rate be something moro
than a dilletanie. Ho was an amateur
In the best sense Of the word; he truly
worked at his hobby. Art was 70 him
nothing less than a necessity OF
existence.
When he devoted himself 20 erltl-
eism IL was with the ardor Of an eT-
plorer. In the magazine no founded
only n year or two before his death,
"Tho Arts" he was fond Of giving
plenty Of space and the heartiest OF
encouraging words 90 the new types
he happened upon. Well read and, in.
deed, very sympathetieally versed IN
the literature OF the historic periods
Of art, be was also eagerly receptive
Of later developments. He Joined the
independent" and when he seeded
from them Il was not 10 so into con-
servatiye opposition but 10 form a
new organization dedicated 10 much
the same sort Of thing.
In his own work he showed n mid
die OF the road" disposition. 10 Is
touched with modernism, but remains,
on the whole. faithful 10 the old laws.
Some threeseore examples Of this
work Of his are gathered together on
tho present occasion. They DO not
suggest that he was destined 20 fol-
low exclusively the career Of a painter.
With 4 brush In his hand he had his
moderately happy moments, as when
he painted the charming still life (No.
6S), In which a cluster Of flowers Is
handled with an agreeable feeling for
color. But they were only moments.
Az a painter he was still rather feebly
feeling his way when he died; he never
got into q stride.
As a collector he was lucklest IN his
adventures amongst japanese paint
ings and prints. OF both he assembled
too many, accommodating a good many
pieces OF no real distinction. On the
other hand he hit upon much that was
charming and Of value, like the spirited
puneho panel (No. ~, like tae beau
tiful landscape by Hiroshigo (No. 22l.
or Ike the fine sixfold screen with
birds and fowls (No. 1897 and its
smaller companion Of the Tosa school
no. 1867. The items We signaliEe arc
Characteristic. They are not momen.
tous but they are good. Quantities Of
tho same order are distributed through
the array Of nearly q thousand
numbers.
Besides the Oriental paintings, prints
and screens which Gil most OF tho
space, there are some interesting ar
tieles Of furniture. early American,
Italian and French, with tho usual
medley Of eurio8 and the like 10 be
expected In the studio OF an arts.
such as Field. There is. frally, his
library, full OF monographs and
elaborate historical works, the ma
chiEery Of criticism. A good many
valuable books are included. We note
among other precious things q full set
Of the Gazette des Beaux-Arts" from
the ars. volume 70 1891. The Field
sale goes through several sessions, be-
ginning next Tuesday.
There will be sold at the American
Art Galleries on the afternoons Of mex.
Friday and Saturday q gathering Of
35i pieces belonging 10 Mr. Charles,
Of London. Il embraces q considerable
diversity Of art objects, a large body
Of period furniture and some beautiful
textiles. The needlework chairs Of
early English origin make partieu'
larly fine group. The tapestries also
are important, French and Flemish
types Of the renaissance.