The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-30

0uDe % cautious IN the1y purchases both Is to
xSiss and NAY make nisssIs: They M. y pen en-
hsps pay too much for one painting, too little for
another, decline toe hastily . third. There is
nothing about which people differ so much e the
wSiss tRs merit ., works 81 Ar about
difference of opinion. The Committee of Manage
ment 10 composed Of twepty.one gentlemen, drawn
from different professions and walks Of active
life. They are not exempt nom the liability
to mistake which attaches TO every man and every
body Of twentyone men, but they are no more
liable to mistake than any other twenty.one, nor
indeed one half Is much, because they have had the
wants of the Art Union and the character and ca
pacities Of the artists. Nevertheless, when they
are obliged out Of fifty pictures sent in as compet
tors for purchase, to choose i've, they inevitably
incur the hazard Of the displeasure Of part Of the
forty.fve whose pictures they did not choose, and
how natural for that displeasure to vent itself in
the newspapers either AZ the instance OF the artist
himself, or some friend who holds the pen Of ready
writer and an interruptions abuser.
Is not this sufficient answer to all the charges
brought against the Art Union on the score of To-
judicious selections of pictures and yet this is more
than halt the burden II the complaints Of the com.
planners Mr.. Thomas Doughty, under his own
signature, charges the committee with impudence,
favoritism, chicaHely, &C., &C., and for what !
Why, because it has 'for some cause or other re-
fnfed to purchase his pictures Well perhaps
Mr.. Doughty is right in his estimate of the merit
Of his works, and perhaps the com mite is wrong
That is possible But It is also possible that from
reasons similar to those which would guide private
gentleman in the selection of gallery of pictures
they have used the privilege Of consulting their own
tastes and acting upon their own judgment.
The simple question is, have they right to do
this, and is it their duty to do this, do they de-
serve to be handed over to public contempt for
venturng upon so outrageous an act!
Bet let us look at some Of the other charges
against this committee which fails to please every
body, because 1t ventures to be independent.
Why havn't they published this year an annual
report of transactions, with list of subscribers
asks Mr.. J. X. Fisher. Simply, Mr.. Fisher, they
have done SO in January, 1851, in a number Of the
Bulletin issued to every subscriber, which you
might have procured in the time Of it, and may
yet and rs for the current year, doubtless they
will do 60 when the regular time comes, viz at the
distribution.
Mr.. Fisher complains OF the plan of the institu-
ion which requires all pictures to be sent to the
Art Union rooms, in Broadway, instead of allowing
the prize dra to select and purchase their own
works But this is the fault, not of the committee,
but Of the constitution. Alter that-abolish the
free gallery-shut out the artists from employment
and . market for their works-make the Art Union
simple machine for distributing 80 many prizes
in cash, instead Of collection Of pictures aud then
You will have the improved system which this
critic prefers.
An anony nous writer in the HERALD wants to
know whether the managers have not concealed
from the subscribers, under an artful plea, the
amount of the sums paid for each work of
dIt Qlb Vu6sLlOQ Is QOt 88ke0 10r lnlOrma-
ton, but to insinuate that, because the COM
mttee have not published the price of every picture
an item of information which would subserve no
good end, and Is not desired by artists or SUBJ
scrihers, there is, therefore, proper conceal
ment in the matter under an srtful plea.
The committee inform their Subscribers ow much
they have paid for works of art in the sggregate no
man will dare to say, who has any respect for his
own character, that they falsfy the amount or de-
ceive their subscribers in this respect. More than
this is not desired, nor Is II desirable.
:" Your receipts were less in 1850 than lSi9 BY
$4,000" says anonymous "out Of your gallery Of
worthy Of exhibition; il looks like collection Of
pictures brought together BY speculators You
have patronised artists to the extent 0. thousands
and sent others empty away: Your publishing and
and gives you the means Of dsmning some artists
and exaling others. Finslly, you eject yourselves
officers, ana will not let US see your books"
All in good time; but, first, rs to the finances
In 1919, there were over $1,000 subscribers, and in
1850, less than l7OOO but in 1850 there we're only
1900, and in 1877 only 10000; in 1851 there may
be l6,CO0, but in 1852 there may be 10000. And
what does all this prove! Simply that the Art
subscriptions, has its ups and downs in peint Of
income, and cannot calculate, to certainty, the
extent Of it's receipts. AS to the gallery, ii is made
up Of the best which offered; the three hundred
by American artists. Rear that in mind, and re
member besises, that ii these, the cream of the
preferred results Of the industry Of our artists sho
Jour taste. what would Dc said ~ an equally sens
tive critic TO the two hundred rejected pictures and
yonr own, Mr.. Anonymous, among the rest
hen ms to those artists "sent empty away"
whose fault was IL but their own, anybody but
themselves being the judges The engraving de-
parment is the first Of the Art Union under its
ution, and Of its nobest features Ii
drain on the treasury just as the purchase Of pic
lures Is ard the expense Of the Gallery Is, aud
more SO. The publishing department is an inds-
pansahla IN Arf.1 IL ;s 90 h
Foreign Missionary Society, or any other body
which communicates with thousands Of subscribers
in the midst Of an intelligent community. AS for
"damning and exalting artists " this is the old
story, without shadow Of foundation except in
jealousy or Interpretation. Lastly, it is not q
fair inference, because the Committee Of Manage
ment do not decline to serve the subscribers, that
they reelect themselves. There are many on the
list OF managers who were not there i've years ago,
and every one of the Committee is, doub less, as
ready to retire he Is determined not TO be driven
out of his place Of duty by anonymous ISLANDERS;
and rs for the books, the Art Union adopts other
rule than that which prevails In all well regulated
organizations. They are always open to those
who have the right to see them, and oil ways shut
against impairment curiosity.
80 much, and perhaps too much, in reply TO these
sideways and anonymous attacks upon the commit
tee ne committee. A word now about charges
against them such, and also as individuals which,
besides being anonymously put forth. are reiterated
and re- echoed by Mr. Thomas w. Whitby in the
under our eye.
Buying more pictures from nonresident and
non American artist thon from any one American
artist obtaining some OF the best prizes after they
had been drawn, by corresponding with distant
subscribers who knew not their value, and the pos
sbility Of the committee 6lling their pockets BY
Ilundering the institution Of its property In the
public cease TO support IL, and il ceases to act.
hete are the most prominent points Of attack for
which Mr.. Whtby sharpens his pen, equally facile,
as he intimates, in present denunciaton, as II has
been In part praise Of the Art Union. And be-
cause the Committee Of Management has not seen
1T TO descend to the level Of Its anonymous SIAN
dsrers, to explain and deny, their silence is twisted
into confession Of guilt, and ga fear Of crimi-
pa ting themselves at the bar OF public opinion"
Now, IL the author Of the last communication, or
any body else, wishes an explicit answer TO these
gross and calumnious charges against the CON-
mittee, whether expressly uttered or implied in
roundabout questions, here it is:-They are untrue,
hrst and last, from beginning to end. The Com
mittee OF Management Of the Art Union have not
thought proper TO notice them, because they carry
their reutation their face. Blu. IL s not de-