90676

Robert Field Autograph Letter Signed.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:125.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 600.00 USD
Robert Field Autograph Letter Signed.
<B>Robert Field Autograph Letter Signed.</B></I> Signed: <I>Robt. Field,</B></I> one page with integral address leaf, 8" x 10", Wye Hall, September 17, 1802. Field, an English artist and long resident of America where he painted portraits of George and Martha Washington as well as many other famous people, and was widely known and celebrated as a miniaturist. Some portraits attributed to Gilbert Stuart are widely thought to be done by Field. This letter was written to a John Leeds Kerr, a young lawyer and close friend of Francis Scott Key whom Field mentions in this letter. "<I>when I shall see you again the Lord knoweth, being engaged here to paint Mr. Pica and old Mrs. Chew. I live here like an Alderman of Cripplegate. I feed the mind a little also, there being several good books here which tempt me, but my head is seldom so well stuffed as my belly, and I fear is emptied sooner without secreting and congesting much pabulum for the brain. Your brain is, I suppose, so busy'd about cases and pleas, and declarations and affirmations and rejoinders, that you have no time to think of my secretions &c. Well, be it so. Is Frank Key in Easton now? I heard he was to be at the general courtYou or your uncle are suspected of writing that line about Lord Cockadoodledoo &c. I hope you did not write it, tho' I'm glad it has been written. Be a good boy till I come.</B></I>" A fine letter with mention of his painting. Fields remained in America, moving to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, until 1809, at which time he moved to Canada, then back to England and eventually to Jamaica where he died in 1819. In very fine condition; usual folds are present; light overall toning.