Distribution of the American Art Union Prizes, at the Tabernacle, Broadway, December 24, 1847

John P. Ridner|Tompkins Harrison Matteson|Davignon|Sarony & Major

1847 · Lithograph with tint stone · Drawings and Prints

This print shows an annual lottery of art works held for the subscribers of the American Art-Union, New York. In 1847, the event was held at the Broadway Tabernacle, a large church with a circular interior. In 1847, national membership topped nine thousand, and would peak in 1849-50 at nearly nineteen thousand. For an annual fee of five dollars, each subscriber received a large, finely engraved print and was entered in the year-end lottery where artworks were distributed after being shown at the Art-Union's Free Gallery. The organization aimed to educate the public about contemporary American art and its distribution network reached every state. This contributed to the creation of a national market for landscapes, genre paintings, and small bronze sculptures. The system flourished for a limited period, however, since no lottery was held in 1851, and the Union was forced to dissolve in 1852-53.

Artist

John P. Ridner|Tompkins Harrison Matteson|Davignon|Sarony & Major

Date

1847

Medium

Lithograph with tint stone

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Edward W. C. Arnold Collection of New York Prints, Maps and Pictures, Bequest of Edward W. C. Arnold, 1954