Among the items on display in the exhibit honoring Yale University Art Gallery curator Richard S. Field is this work by Mel Bochner, titled "Ten to 10 (Zones)." During his more than 20 years at the gallery, Fields organized or supervised more than 60 exhibitions.

Show marks retirement of noted curator

Richard S. Field has organized or supervised more than 60 exhibitions during his years as curator of prints, drawings and photographs at the Yale University Art Gallery. The museum's newest show, however, was not created by Field but, instead, pays tribute to him. "Contemporary Prints and Drawings Acquired in Honor of Richard S. Field" marks the curator's retirement after more than 20 years at the gallery. The show, on view through April 16, features over 20 works by some of America's foremost living artists, with whom Field has a personal or scholarly connection. The artworks on display were chosen from the outpouring of prints and drawings presented to Yale by Field's friends and the gallery's benefactors, as well as purchases by Jock Reynolds, the Henry J. Heinz II Director of the Yale Art Gallery, in recognition of Field's distinguished curatorship. "We are amazed and delighted at the quality and quantity of the works that have been given to us in Dick Field's honor," says Elisabeth Hodermarsky, acting curator of prints, drawings and photographs, who organized the exhibit. "Jock Reynolds is deeply committed to acquiring the work of living artists and building Yale's holdings for future generations," she adds. "It is fitting that he launched this acquisition campaign as an acknowledgement of Dick's contribution to the study of contemporary art." She notes that the show also honors the memory of Connecticut artist Simeon Branguin whose "extraordinarily generous bequest for the purchase of art by established living artists, now The Janet and Simeon Braguin Fund, made many of these acquisitions possible." The works on display were created between 1967 and 1997 by such celebrated contemporary artists as Mel Bochner, Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Brice Marden, Henry Pearson, Robert Ryman, Joel Shapiro and Jessica Stockholder. In the brochure for the exhibit, Lucy Soutter, a doctoral candidate in the history of art at Yale, notes that, while the work of the featured artists varies greatly, "the paper support of the prints and drawings lends the show an overarching aesthetic -- a striking preponderance of white -- and also provides the diverse artists with a common ground for exploring issues of abstraction." Widely acknowledged as one of the most respected print curators in the world today, Field has not confined his expertise to any single period -- although he confesses a particular passion for 15th-century prints and has written widely on this topic. The works in the Yale exhibits he organized have ranged over half a millennium, from the 15th century to the 20th century. His exhibitions and accompanying catalogues on such artists as Mel Bochner, Jasper Johns and Eric Fischl were major attractions and contributed to the existing scholarship on these artists; still other shows won Field a devoted following among scholars, students, patrons, visitors and artists. Among Field's admirers who have made gifts to the gallery's collection in his honor are Harrison and Julia Childs Augur, James A. Bergquist, Mel Bochner, Eric G. Carlson, Richard and Peggy Danziger, Lawrence and Regina Dubin, Bob Feldman and his Parasol Press, George Hopper Fitch, Jasper Johns, Davis Lasry, Robert Mangold, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Betsy Senior, and Charles and Susan Young. The Yale University Art Gallery is located at the corner of Chapel and York streets. It is open to the public free of charge 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. There is an entrance for persons using wheelchairs at 201 York St., with an unmetered parking space nearby. For information about access, call (203) 432-0606. For other information, call (203) 432-0600 or visit the museum's website at www.yale.edu/artgallery. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale's global health program inspires doctors to continue serving the needy Show marks retirement of noted curator Sterling Library show celebrates 'Blacks in the Arts' 'Dino-snore!' will bring public to Peabody for the ultimate sleepover Clinic aims to bring relief to compulsive gamblers Yale 'bakers' show off their talents at benefit event Yale-donated microscope inspires 'next generation of scientists' University lends support to help New Haven become a 'city of readers' Attorney for Abner Louima to speak at 'Rebellious Lawyering' event Study finds similarities in U.S. and Nazi eugenics efforts Retrospective exhibit showcases the work of the once 'most talked about artist' in Britain Black History Month celebration Pioneering alumna to discuss use of math in real world Research on extremophiles may lead to better antibiotics Symposium explores artists' special bond Gifts make Peabody's collections more accessible Yale Scoreboard Campus Notes Standing, Special and Appointments Committees In the News Former European Commission official to present talks Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page