The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-23
Report OF the American Art UnlOp, for the
Year Ending Deco m ber "a.

Report OF the American Art-Uniss, for the
Year Ending December 22.
The following Is the report of tho American Art
Union, somewhat condensed, read at the meeting on
The stature which the American Art.Union has at.
tanned Is the result Of eleven years growth The first
years Of Its existence regarded It's
infancy they comprise the period Of its origin and
successful establishment II is during the last four
years. more especially that 1t has advanced with pro-
gression to which nothing offers a fitting comparison
but the marvellous annals of the nation ITSELF to take
Its place at the head of the Art Unions Of the world
The year 1889 closed with register Of sl4 members.
In the year 1916, the number Of subscribers 4457
In lS47 they were more than doubled, reaching the
large humber Of 1905. In l84s, the number was
1915, and In the present year 1890. judicious
purchase of real sststs has been made during
was found necessary TO provide additional accomno-
dations for the Of business and TO- enlarge
the gallery for the exhibition Of pictures let on
Mercer street adjoining the previously improved,
was purchased for 50 900, and building has been
erected cost Of $4,000 furnishing all the conve-
nsnces desired, and another beautiful gallery. The
very moderate sum Of 500 will be charged to the
subscribers Of each year for the portion occupied
street commands In addition, rental Of $500, which
will serve as a sinking fund gradualyto discharge
Of the American Art Union as exhibited in its
vast subscription list, and the enlargement of its
tying evidence Of progress but rather the
means Of usefulness than the objects for which 1t
established Its purpose is to advance the cause Of
American art to develope talent to encourage merit
and to difuse among the people love Of refine
ment Of taste, and general asthetic culture and
in all these respects il claims to have achieved
results at least with its business sue
cess. During these eleven years more than 500 900
has been expended directly upon works Of art -
The American Art Union has created both artists
and purchasers and it's direct patronage far exceed
ed by that which indirectly it has called into exist.
ence The present exhibition Ia greatly superior to
any OF Its predecessors contns larger number Of
productions OF high order OF excellence, and far
less proportion If inferior works. Our collections
Eibt characteristics that betoken the rise of q new
school Of art The pictures have American aspect
in the SUBJECTS In the landscapes the in
the sentims MT and various other particulars IL ia
not nursery of false and affected sentiment; 1t de-
lights not in the expression Of impure ideas it does
not portray the human form with pencil dipped in
righteousness nor does 1t surround its subjects with
an enchanted, sensual atmosphere Let this be ever
the motto Of American art inscribed in golden charac
~ It's instrumentaty Joy is sent into the bosom Of
the struggling artist for 1t does not reserve all it's
fayors until the artist can dispense with its aid 1t
patterns TOO the hospitabe spirit OF the whole people,
The liberal welcome Ii artists from abroad
IL American to the hearts core but 1t prsctses the
principles Of true International courtesy. There are
paintings in this exhibition the work Of artists
born and trained Ia Europe who but for its potent in
PRODUCTION, would probably have been unknown and
unemployed They have been naturalized at once as
American artists The twenty beautiful ststuettes,
which make novel figure in our list of prizes re-
presenting copper colored Indians, are cast In
bronze, by artists recently arrived from Franco.
The American Art Union has scattered its epgrav.
and breadth Of the land The taste of the public has
been cultivated and the latent germ of unfolded In
the mind OF many youth. The mode OF distribution
we have adopted, for disposing Of our accumulated
treasures by the awards OF fortuRes wheel is con-
veIient method Of scattering them with impartial
hand. The works we tend out messengers and
Of art Genius SPEAKS from the canvass
and awakeBs responses like that which fell from the
lips Of the young Corrego he stood before picture
Of Rsphael-"l, too, am painter Our association Is
for country, the mother Of Art Usions The West
Art Union located in that beautiful city of the
West, where art seems to have sprung ont Of tho
ground and where IL well may choose it's Western
home. is modelled on precisely the same plan. The
fhiadephia Ant Union s also successfully established
upon the scheme Of the Londen Art Union, distribut-
ing many prizes to be expended In pictures Our Unoiu
welcomes all fellow aborers In its great purpose Of pro-
noting art and the love Of refined among the pes-
pie The gallery Ia Of tho prominent characteris
ties Of PLAN and IL IL Of the most interesting
During the year, over enc thousand eight hundred
paintings have been offered out Of which the 400
In the catalogue Of prizes have been purchased.
During the year q monthly bulletin has been pub
shed, containing lists Of works Of art published. and
notices and criticisms The aggregate OF the numbers
issued is 10000. 1t is edited by Mr. William J. Hop
pin. Durihg the year. upwards of 5000 letters have
been received, and $500 have been despatched
Mr. Andrew Warner Is at the head Of this bureau.
The nun Der Of honorary corresponding Secretaries IL
j25 IL by means Of the correspondence conducted
With singular efficiency courtesy and tact that the
ysnzation II the American Art Union has been per-
ected and 10 sustained.
The Treasurer, Mr.. Austen, then read the following:
TRrasvKrR's RKPoRr TO DKc. u, lsis.
DR..
,ash from Is go subscriber ..........s 50. 800 90
m