The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-15
The American Art Union and the InternA-
tiouAI Art Union.

discussion OF the merits oil these TWO instl-
tutions, or rather, according to our judg-
ment, of our national institution, "The
American Art Union," and the private
French establishment, 'sThe International
Art Union.'' The discussion has been
somewhat warm, but very thorough; the
parties whose course was first attacked
having replied at much length, and their
replies having been subjected to close an
alysis in the answers made.
The position of the American Art Union
is commanding one, and it becomes
more and more so almost daily. Its objects
are such as commend themselves to all
who look hopefully for our advancement
in civilization and refinement, as well as
those who are particularly interested in
that department of art which is the field of
its labors; and its operations are so con-
Quoted that the benefits of its influence are
disseminated to the farthest corners of the
land. Such is the nature Of our political
institutions, and so reluctant have our
legislative bodies shown themselves to
NEEDLE with matters of art--except by pay
ing not over-lbera prices for few paint
ings-that, for our advancement in this
regard, We are dependent altogether upon
private taste and munifcence, or voluntary
association. The first of these cannot ac-
complish great deal, because, from our
youth as nation, and from the almost en-
tire devotion Of the whole-so to speak-of
our population to industrial pursuits of
some nature, there can yet be but com
paratively little taste in the fine arts de
veloped among US; and, as yet, too few
have acquired both the fortune and the
discrimination to make the last very avail.
able to the cause of art.
Such being the case, an institution like
the American Art Union, established by
the voluntary association of its members,
protected and assisted in its operations by
a charter; so conducted that all its funds,
with the exception of the comparatively
small expenses incidental to its exist
ence, 60 to the encouragement of finer
ican artists, which scatters the works
of those artists throughout the land, and
thus begets a taste where none might have
existed before; which opens its galleries
freely to all csmers, thus bringing under
the daily influence of art those who else
might never see picture; whose affairs
are managed by committee of gentlemen
of high responsibility, without salary, per-
quisite, or mdive, save that of love of
art, elected BY the members and respon-
sible to them such an institution de-
serves the attention and the Jealous watch
fulness of those whose business it is to
protect the public interests and direct the
public taste. The prosperity of such an
institution is national benefit; its adver-
sity would be a national misfortune.
If, then, an attempt be made to use for
private purposes the interest in art awak-
ened by this noble institution, and to d.
vert the stream Of contributions which
spring from national sympathy into for
eign and private channels, sense of duty
as well as love of art forces us to expose
the motives and the workings of such a
project. Such one, we are convinced,
after investigation, has been set on foot
by Messrs. GoUPIL, VIBERT s. Co., an
extensive print publishing house, Of long
established responsibility in Paris.
The state OF the case is simply this. The
American Art Union, from small begin
ming, has, by judicious and energetic man
agement, become the most influential in
stitution devoted to art in the country. 1t
has collected and expended between two
and three hundred thousand dollars, all of
which, save necessary incidental expenses,
has gone TO tie encouragement of Ameri-
can artists-not one cent into the private
purses Of IFS managers ; in return for which
one thousand nne hundred and ninety-sev-
en- works Of art including twelve hundred
and ninety-seyn paintings, have been dis
tributed by lot among the members. 1t has
established agencies all over the country,
so that It's benefits are as much within the
reach of the backwoodsman as the citizen
of New York. It employs American en-
gravers, as well as American painters, in
producing yearly two or three engravings,
copies oil which are distributed to each
member. 1t has given to young American
painters abroad he best encouragement
which could be given them by purchasing
their pictures, ard thus providing them,
in the most agreeable and stimulating way,
with the means Of prosecuting their stu
dies. These things il has done, and to
such and like ends are all the funds which
it collects, and all the measures taken by
it, committee Of managers, directed. This
committee is elected by the members, is
ray,,,,ns;bI, 90 ,bsn and ~ in fact onlv