Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-11-13
ART UNION OF PHILADELPHIA.

| ART UNION OF PHILADELPHIA.
The Art Union of Philadelphia was
established by its founders, and incorpora-
ted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, for
the purpose of extending throughout the
American community, that attachmen. 10
the Fine Arts which is distinctive of ma
tional refinement and civilization, and by
this means to encourage the labors of Ame-
rican artists, by creating an increased
amount of patronage for the benefit of the
Painters and Sculptors OF the United States
--now dependant wholly upon individual
support.
The promoters Of this undertaking saws a
contemporary consider this object as not less
important to the morals than the taste of
the community, and, in attempting it, they
have adopted the following plan:
First - Each person subscribing Five
Dollars, becomes thereby a member Of the
Art Union.
Second The money obtained from
such subscriptions is appropriated, in the
first place, 10 the production of large and
costly engraving, from original American
pictures. The residue, after paying the
necessary expenses of The Institution, is
made the basis of certain certificates, of
various amount and value, which are annu-
ally distributed by lot, among the subscri-
bers, and these certificates are available Tor
thepurchase of sculpture, paintings, draw
ingS, and other works of art, from Amrri-
can artists, but for no other purpose. They
are redeemed by the Association, only on
the endorsement Of the Artist or Artists,
from whom the purchase is made.
Third Each subscriber is entitled TO
one chance in the distribution of cerlifi-
Gates, and to copy OF the engraving issued
for the year for which he subscribers and
each additional contribution of five dollars
entities him to an additional chance, with
the privilege of selecting other engrayings
from among those previously published by
the Art Union.
1t may thus be easily seen that the dis
tinguishing and most important feature in
the plan, is that which gives the annual
prize holders the right OF selecting their
prizes from among the productions OF
American Art in any part of the United
States.
This plan was adopted as one which
would best secure the object for which the
institution has been incorporated, viz -
"The Promotion Of the Arts of Design in
the United States"
1t is evident that the distribution of ffiy
prize certificates among the members, as
was the case at the last annual distribution,
with which prize-holders themselves could
pun chase their own pictures any where IN
the United States, is preferable 10 any plan
which empowers a committee, composed
ofa limited number of managers, with the
entire right TO control the funds involved
in the purchase, and make the selection OF
such number of pictures.
1t should be remembered that there will
be at least fifty donated pictures added 10
the list OF prizes this year. Some OF them
are Of extraordinary merit, and really gems
OF art. The present exhibition at the Gal
lery, No. 900 Chestnut street, is the bes,
Free Exhibition ever made in Philadel-
Ph'a. There are some of the finest pic
lures from the celebrated Carey collection
several beautiful landscapes by Sountag,
ol lCinclnnati--Cropsey--Church--and
hensett, of New York, Gay, of bingham
and variety of paintings by Philadel-
Phia artists.
The Managers having done their part SC
"e''' II is to be hoped that the public will
come forward this year, and subscribe lib.
erally.