The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-13 00:00:00

two great nations in a good cause must be valuable.
The number of works of art selected by the prize-
holders last year was 236, including two pieces of
sculpture. They were c“:11;b;te,1 for :II -ems
subscribers and their friends sit tree Surtulit-sttet
• by permis.,ion of the Society of British Artists,
and for one week gratuitously to the public without any
limitation or restriction. It is estimated that, in the
whole, nearly 200,000 persons visited this exhibition,
and that, too, without the occurrence of any accident—
another gratifying proof. if it were needed, of the eager-
ness of the public to avail themselves of any opportunity
to examine works of art which may be afforded them,
and of the perfect safety with which, under proper su-
pervision, this privilege may be accorded.
Since the date of the last general meeting the print
due to the subscribers of 1843, "Raffaelle and the For-
narina," engraved after Sir Augustus Callcott by Mr.
Lumb Stocks, has been distributed. At the same time
the outlines in illustration of " The Pilgrim's Progress,"
engraved after Mr. Selous by Mr. Henry Moses, were
distributed to the subscribers of the current year.
The Committee cannot avoid congratulating the sub-
scribers on the excellence of both these works. They
have to state that, in pursuance of the advertisement,
which provided that, in the eveet of engraving the out-
lines selected, the artist should receive a further remu-
neration to superintend the publication of them, they
presented the sum of fifty guineas to Mr. Selous, in addi-
tion to the premium. His Royal Highness Prince
Albert was pleased to accept a copy of these illustrations,
and, in reply to a letter addressed to his Royal High-
ness by the Honorary Secretaries, commanded Mr. East-
lake, R.A., to express his Royal Highness's approbation
of the objects .of the Association.
The character of the' Prince as a lover of art, the in-
terest constantly manifested by him in its progress in
England, and the efforts already made under his direc-
tion with that end in view, give this testimony much
greater value than would result simply from his Royal
Highness's exalted pefition.
A marked and decided change in public opinion on
the subject of the Fine Arts has taken place during the
present reign, and will not form the least important page
in the volumes of the future historian. British artists
have shown themselves competent and willing to essay
great works when the opportunity shall be afforded
them ; and the British public that they will willingly
contribute means for the production of such, and seek
enjoyment in the contemplation of thorn when executed.
The engraving after Mr. Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., by
Mr. Goodall, " The Castle of Ischia," due to the sub-
scribers of the current year (1844), in addition to the
outlines, is in a forward state. The fact that two such
works as these (either of which, under ordinary circum-
stances, would cost a guinea or more) can be produced
for every subscriber of that sum, and still leave the
greater part of the aggregate amount for the purchase of
paintings and sculpture, affords an extraordinary in-
sir of the results of co-operation.
of „ line
subscriber for 1843 will receive an impression
G:rp'"ll„e engraving, after Mr. Mulready, R.A., by Mr.
" The Convalescent," which is far advanced
towards completion.
la consequence of the very successful result of the
first competition of designs in outline, the advertisement
Was repeated. In reply, thirty-two sets of designs of
various degrees of merit were received, from which the
Committee selected, as most deserving of the premium
Offered, a series illustrative of Thomson's " Castle of In-
dolence," by Mr. William Rimer.
For a future year the Committee have arranged to
engrave "Jeptha's Daughter," painted by Mr. O'Neil,
and selected by Mr. Cyrus Legg, a prizeholder of 1843,
and have placed it in the hands of Mr. Peter Lightfoot,
for that purpose. The Committee are desirous on all
occasions, when it can be done with advantage, to en-
grave pictures purchased by the Association, and they
look with much anxiety for the result of the selections
about to be made. It cannot be too strongly reiterated,
that a great responsibility rests with the prizeholdere ;
and the Committee venture to urge on their attention the
remarks on this subject which appear in former reports ;
and even to repeat that the prizeholders must consider
]themselves but as the stewards of the Association, and
endeavour to promote as much as possible its highest
objects. On the other hand, the Committee would call
for the co-operation of the artists themselves, who have
so deep an interest in the success of the Institution, and
"implore them to discourage any attempt to divert its
funds from their legitimate purposes, and to discounte-
nanee:any, should there be such, who, instigated by selfish
Inotives, would endeavour to make the Institution sub-
serve only to their own individual gain."
In order to insure a good subject for engraving here-
after, and to induce the production of a superior work of
art, your Committee are about to offer the sum of 5001.,
tinder conditions which will be advertised, for an original
Picture illustrative of English History. They propose
that Cartoons, the size of the picture, shall be sent in
y the Ist of January, 1845, from which the selection
shall be made, and that the artist shall undertake to
lit(fltireplete the finished painting within twelve months
the decision.
tratroposing this competition to the artists of the
Kingdom, the Committee express an earnest
Tieey'at the result may be creditable to the country.
f seek a work of the highest order of merit, a work
• ; and they venture to think that painters of
b;,`"tY will he induced to respond to the call, not merely
- the sum of money offered—a secondary consideration
In the mind of a true artist—but by the knowledge that
espies of his work, by one of our best engravers, will be
Ziattc!nto every nook end corner of the kingdom, as well
Th many parts abroad.
e bronzes from Flaxman's " Michael and Satan,"
and Sir R. Westmacott's " Nymph and Child," executed
very satisfactorily by Mr. Edward Wyon and Mr.
WOodington,, have been distributed to the prizeholders.
For the present year, the Committee have caused a bust
of liebe, by Mr. A Gatley, selected by Miss Acocks, a
prizeholder in the last distribution, to be put into bronze
11 Mr. Hatfield. Many of the casts are already finished,
so that those subscribers who are fortunate enough to
esquire a right to them to-day, will receive them almost
innnediately afterwards.
The medal of Chantrey has been delayed, unfortu-
nately, partly by the illness of Mr. W. Wyon, R.A.,
u partly by the success of our arms in India, which
edthe Government to call on that gentleman unex-
tetadlY for medals for the troops. It is now nearly
n
a,
enlPleted, and will probably be ready for delivery in a
s, rt time. In continuation of the series, Mr. A. J.
ethard has been commissioned to execute a medal of
Joshua
Reynolds. Your Committee intend to take
silneeiate steps to obtain medals commemorative of
emit no Wren and Flaxman. They propose to
h n 0 opportunity of elevating in public opinion the
,e,litacter of the true artist, and of strengthening the
aireietion that to all such their country is deeply in-
Sincecut d
y the date of the last report, the Right Hon. the
irg Prudhoe, a member of the Committee from the
F
d°lnvistion of the Society, has been elected Vice-Presi-
-2,1t. The vacancy thus caused in the Committee, has
fillet; up by the appointment of John Auldjo, Esq.,
,eoThe extension of the Society's operations has called
et;eran increase of the establishment, and additional
Xhe .ions on the part of those engaged in it. To remind
subscribers of the largeness of the operations carried
thene office, it may not be uninteresting to state that
e the last meeting more than 60,000 letters and
yt.'irer?lars have been issued by post; 15,000 copies of last
8 report 50 000 prospectuses and almanacs, and
.1,11(:000 eatakg, ues'of the prizes have been distributed.
tit! til.,e print " Una " 12,000 sheets of paper were re-
for4 that of "Raffaelle and the Fornarina '
aa--01.re,1 the same number; and for the designs in outline
.000 sheets.
rr..se account of receipts and disbursements for the
xtt year showed that the hum
£1,857 17 9
um set apart for eneTav-
kor t3710`
uCtalisntlees.of Ischia"
1,805 0 0
forLe bronzes 4OO 0 0
the 2,166 6 3
expense, printing, &c
ItKetures and other works of art
la 3atisfactory to observe that the expenses are
insenlore than they were last year, notwithstanding the
liehaSed unkaber of subscribers and the expenses caused
',the late proceedings of the Government.
,The amount s 0; apart, according to the foregoing
'sin Cent, for the puff:hese of works of art, viz., 8,590/.,
value e alloted as follows :—Fifty works of art of the
value 13r 10/. each, 500/ ; thirty-six works of art of the
Value 151- each, 540/..; forty-two works of art of the
'the eaj,„al?°/. each, 8401.; twenty-eight works of art of
I)+P th,"-:e, of 25/. each, 700/. ; twenty-five works of art
tho vwatue of 30/. each, 750/.• twenty works of art of
the of -1.0/. each, SOW.; 'fourteen works of art of
val 'value of
• of , 501. each, 7001.; twelve works of art of the
Of 1,3;• 'Ol- each, 7201.; eight works of art of the value
each ,
ea,ch, 560/ •, fix works of art of the value of 80/.
six works of art of the value of 100/. each,
Nve works of art of the value of 150/. each, 300/.;
le_?,Nvorks of art of the value of 2001. each, 400/.; one
.11
of art of the value of 300/.;
lie of 400 L one work of art of the
41/4the,!e are :o be added thirty bronzes the '• Bust
,1
The e, reakiug in the whole, 283 works of a" t•
fund commenced in 1842 ; and foT.'ned
tto7lYt,hy the profit on sale of catalogues at the exhibi-
k, .110,s ne interest on subscriptions received, and by the
e 0001a.nexpended by prizeholders, now amounts to
ant its ItZWith the view of increasing it, your Committee
all those who have the great objects of the Assn
-
the ion
really at heart to pay their subscriptions early in
laoth near ; the difference to the individual could be
of " aggregatehe interest obtained by the investment
Th,u_e- would amount to a considerable sum.
which is necessary to secure the Committee
allst the possibility of loss through engagements
nte,. pro, spectively with engravers
and others, will pro-
- eereaCter, it is confidently expected, a large perma-
nent_revenue for the advancement of the fine arts in
ne h
your Committee have given much considera-
tioneaiito,ihtilasoewttx:e
.proceedings of the society. They will
'will d ps'oposing any alterations of new steps
e publication of the Parliamentary Report, which
doubtless contain other suggestions requiring dis-
au3cln lnn. The necessity for more ample apartments,
a
gallery specially appropriated to the Association
(fir exhibition exhibition of the works of art purchased by the
tio-
nmehsolders and of those submitted in competition), ba
obtainicach year more apparent. Should the means of
tis desired oberent themselves, our
Comminttgee hwould not fail to take advantage of theym—
nivineed that by such a course the character of the As-
set, eiatiion would be raised, and its ability to do good
grt my increased.
ououdfieddpu!)ic opinion relative to the _
(all4cleveth-afrill is a subject for earnest congratu,-
tion, and
operatiotis,oftitqh.liisesAtisosnoacbialytiobne. alstcriibsedto inbepahrotpetdo
the
that influential bile bodies will aid the Legislature in
the important sie,'ls in favour of the arts about to be
recoaindpe.anyTchoeulr
n-ropti:is revenue of a club or city
iiinegtiofoor imitation, itealtion, on bethe
betterw ail
se expended ntdheedi
their hall,
arenc %di
e-
lands--the evated
feeling, in the language of all
be-
holder language of the painter--(teaching the regard ha fellows with love, by that exposition

wine Arts
I,_