Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-08
AMERICAN ART UNION.
Mn. EDiroR: We Americans have b

Mn. EDiron: We Americans have been
often sncrred al by Transatlantic critics, and
sometimes Ivy inconsidr,ate people among
ourselves, because the fine arts have no, been
as literally sustained here rs among the old.
er governments of Europe, bu, IA candid oh.
server will not fail TO see and admit that there
are reasons for this fact, which are by no
means derogalory to our character for taste
OF liberaIiIy. Nothing could be more gross.
~ unfair than TO compare the enormous pal.
lerics, where arc garncred the treasures of
centuries, the result Of boundess expendi,.
ure from royal treasures, with the slender
exhibitions Of an American Academy the
solitary pride Of Republic, not century
old. and presenting comparatively few in
stances of great wealth among its citizens.
Yet men have been found, abroad, who in.
s'tnied comparisons quite as iberal, and
m'n al home who were foolish enough to get
an.ry at them. The truth is IA substitute was
needed for those kings and mobiles who fur.
nisI'ed in the old governments the principal
patronage 10 the fine arts, nd the ingenuity
of some of the friends Of ar, in this country.
has invented one which is worthy of the dig.
nifty ola great and free people. They have
mt taken the prcrogaiive Of patronage away
from the hands o! I'll" sovereign, bu, have only
conlived to keep it there their plan is, to
make patrons Of the People instead of tie
King.
For this purpose a society is organized,
with charter from the state of New.York)
which is composed ofcvrry body who choos-
es TO pay five dollars PR anuum for the en-
enlargement Of American Art. Its centre
is IA, the city of Nrw-York, where, for con-
venrnce, its hoard of officers principally re.
reside. William c, Bryant, ESQ.,. the poet,
and editor Of the Evening Post, is President
of the Association, assisted Ivy a number OF
gentlemen Of taste and fortune, who, having
abundant means to supply themselves with
the choices, works ofari, wiIliosi assistance,
have no other motive TO snbservc by their
connection with the Art Union. than the Gle.
walton and encouragement Of Art in thi,
country. To them, MS the orieinators of,hi'
truly "Amcrican SYSTEM" the lovers o
Art, and the friends of the hiehes, improve.
men, Of our people. owe debt Of graii,ud.
which can hardly yet be- computed. .. '-
Ever since its organization, this associa
lion has been firmly and steadily growing il
the esteem and confidence Of enlightened
men Throughout, the Union, until, from il,
feeble beginning. seven years ago. when il
funds amounted to but few hundred dol
lars, it has increased until at the presen
Time, i, numbers 3, 233 members, will, fund
to the amount of SIG, los.
These funds are disposed of as foIlows:-
) A large line engraving, executed by a
American Engraver, in the first style Of III
ART, is frs, Of all procured at an expense o
perhaps, one or two thousand dollars cop
of which Casually worth about the five dol
y lars paid for membership is gralui,o"sl
dist, ibu,ed to every member. The balance
alier pa, ing necessary expenses, is exprnc
I'd by a comnitlea of gentlemen, sclecie
for their discrimination, in purchasing sue
works Of American Artists, as well pain,e
as sculp,ors, as, in their Judgment, evint
:, the most merit, on the whole, II, such price
= as will afford fair remuneration. The,
pictures, bos,s. and statues, amounting Ia
year to 1881 are then distributed, by Ia
" among all the members who have paid the
), subscription for the current year. givi,
d each member an equal chance 10 receive .b'
. sides the magnificent engraving above-meI
{" toned, piece of painting or sculpture. va
/" urd ii, from $40 to IS %. .....,
!" To those who cared nothing whatever &
!" The encouragement, Of The Arts. this won
seem to offer a most tempting investment
y the sn'allsnm rcquired-bu, to one who HI
!, a, hear, tho hishes, welfare Of his counir
a and would see her take her proper ran
il among the nations. no, merely in those ar
u which minister TO ,hs physical wants Of ma
d but in those which tend 10 snnobs and exc