1847 The London Art-Union Prize Annual

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Very Scarce

Rebacked with the original backstrip and cloth laid down to the spine and to the boards, and renewed end papers. With engravings to the title page and 52 further plates. Collated complete. This is an annual of art, reproduced as engravings by Henry Melville, which was awarded as prizes to subscribers of the Art Union of London in the year 1847. With a catalogue of the plates and those who were awarded the art pieces. Established in 1837, The Art Union of London aimed "to aid in extending the love of the Arts of Design, and to give Encouragement to Artists beyond that afforded by the patronage of individuals." Each member paid a subscription of one guinea a year, in return for a large engraving annually. They also had the chance of winning an annual prize; either a proof copy of a print, or a painting. The winners of Art Union of London prizes had a free choice of any painting, up to a given value, shown at any of the London exhibitions that year.