Perfectly American: The Art-Union and Its Artists

The American Art—Union, based in New York City, was founded in 1844 with the goal of fostering the arts in America through education and publication. Modeled after European organizations, the American Art—Union sought to establish a national aesthetic in the United States and unite all regions of the country through art.

A small subscription fee entitled members of the Art—Union to at least one engraving of a prominent piece per year, as well as entry in an annual lottery distributing larger...