ART-UNIONS are societies for the encou ragement of the fine arts by the purchase of works of art out of a common fund raised in small shares or subscriptions ; such works of art, or the right of selecting them, being dis tributed by lot among the subscribers or mem bers. The success of similar associations in Germany and Prussia led to the establishment in 1837 of the Art-Union of London, which, though it has given rise to many others, re mains at the head of such societies in this country. In it every member subscribes an nually the sum of one or more guineas, re ceiving accordingly one or more shares in the advantages held out. Part of the sum thus raised is expended in the engraving of one or more works of art, of which every subscriber receives a copy ; but, though the prints thus distributed are such as would, in the ordinary course of trade, cost the full amount of the subscription, they are, owing to the combina tion of a very large body of subscribers, and the avoidance of risk, produced at so small a cost as to leave the greater part of the sub scribed funds available for the purchase of original pictures or pieces of sculpture. The sum thus appropriated is divided into prizes of from 101. to 3001. or 4001., which are dis
tributed by lot among the subscribers ; the prize-holders being allowed, under certain re strictions, themselves to select works of art to the specified amount. These works of art, previous to their delivery to the prize-holders, are gratuitously exhibited for three or four weeks to the subscribers and the public.
In the season of 1850 the subscriptions amounted to 11,1801.; the sum laid out in the purchase of pictures, statuettes and medals was 50731., and on engravings and etchings 32501. The works of art selected by the sub scribers amounted in number to 1021.
Doubts having been raised as to the legality of art unions, temporary acts were passed:in 1814 and 1845 to;indemnify their managers from the penalties to which they were sup posed to be subject; and in 1846 an act (9 & 10 Vic. c. 48) was passed to legalize such as have been or may be incorporated by royal charter, or may have their rules and deed of partnership approved by a committee of the privy council. The Art-Union of London was incorporated by royal charter on the 1st of December, 1816.