Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-11-07
The American Art-U Union.

This is an institution of a nature which
deserves the countenance and patronage OF ev-
cry warm and generous spirit throughout the
Union. and we trust that several OF our citizens
will at once become members, when they have
become fully acquainted with its nature and OBJ
iect. Through the politeness of MIR. +. "A.
TYLER, of New Orleans, one of the Honorary
Secretaries, we have received the Transactions
for 1913; and that the institution may be fully
understood and appreciated, we cannot do bet
ter than make the following extracts from the
pamphlet before us:
The American Art-Union, in the city of New
York, was Incorporated by the Legislature Of
the State of New York, for the promotion of
the Fine Arts in the United States.
It is managed by gentlemen who are chosen
annually by the members, and receive no COM
pensation. To accomplish a truly National OBJ
ject, uniting great public good with private gra-
LITIGATION, at small Individual expense, in a man.
ner best suited to the situation and Institutions
Of our country, and the wants, habits and tastes
Of our people, the committee have adopted the
following plan:
htClf SuDSSIlDSI VI " oiif&i 10 q VIM
Of the Art-Union for the year, and is entitled
to all its privileges.
The money thus obtained CATER paying ne
eessary expenses) is applied:
First-To the production Of a large and cost
1y Original Engraving from an American
Painting, of which the plate and copyright be-
long to the Institution, and are used solely for
its benefit.
Of this Engraving every member receives a
copy for every five dollars paid by him.
Members entitled to duplicates are at liberty
to select from the Engravings Of previous years.
Whenever the funds justify it, al extra En-
craving or Work of Art, is also furnished to
every member.
Every member also receives. a full Annual
Report of the Transactions, &c. of the Insti-
tuition.
Second-To the purchase of Paintings and
Sculpture by native or resident artists.
These Paintings and Sculptures are publicly
exhibited at the Gallery of the Art-Union till
the annual meeting in December, when they are
publicly distributed by lot among the members,
each member having one share for every FIVE
dollars paid by him.
Each.member is thus certain of receiving in
return the value of the five dollars paid, and
may, also, receive a Painting or other Work of
Art of great value.
The business of the Institution out of the
city Of New York is transacted by Honorary
Secretaries, who receive and remit subscrip-
tions, and deliver to the members in their Wei
nifty the Reports, Engrayings and Works of
Art, after exhibiting them a few days-subject
to which right they are distributed.
The Engravings, &c. to which all the menu
hers are entitled, are forwarded to the Secreta-
ries at the expense and risk of the Institution.
The Paintings, &c. which aresdistributed By
lot, are forwarded to the Secretaries at the ex-
pense and risk of those who have been so for
tunate as to draw them. The Secretaries will
deliver them, on being paid the actual cost of
boxing and transportation.
Honorary Secretaries will be appointed by
the Committee of Management, on application
to the Corresponding Secretary, from persons
suitably recommended, !.
Inc Institution also publishes a semi-month-
ly Bulletin, containing the Plan, Officers, Pur-
chases, &c. &c, which is furnished to the Sec
retaries for distribution to the members and 9TH
ers. t .
The above gives all the information respect
ing the object and management of the Ameri-
can Art-Union. From a table showing the
progress of the Institution, we find that for the
year l848 the number of members were 49,
Ats, being ar increase over the previous year
of about 1000; the amount received, $83,525,
an increase of about $4,000; and 929 paint
ings distributed, being 357 more than the for
mer year. We trust that many of our citizens
will display their taste and philanthropy by be-
members Of the above institution; the
Of prizes takes place now in a few
weeks, and they would soon learn how fortune
had favored them.