Field, John (McKechnie Section 6)

See Section Two for main entry

Included in this Section on account of a small profile of Charles James Fox, painted on the under surface of flat glass with verre églomisé. Field produced a number of profiles of the statesman, both on ivory and on card, some apparently based on a bust by Nollekens (as were some similar profiles by Field of William Pitt). This example (in my collection) was acquired, unframed, from the artist's descendants, who discovered it in a collection of Field's personal relics. Possibly Field painted it as an experiment; no other examples by him are known.

The sitter's hair and ear are drawn in line; and Field has made little attempt to mould the features. Since the profile appears to be after Nollekens's bust, the base is painted as if draped in classical style. A black background is painted around the profile itself, which was left blank and then covered from the back with gold leaf, after which the whole of the back of the glass was painted black. The profile is signed on the base, probably with a quill, and the name 'Field' is scratched with a needle in the black surround beneath the profile; both signatures are illustrated.

768

Ill. 1529