The American Art-Union's Downfall 18, 1853, Eastman Johnson48 paints a lively picture of the unfortunate situation in which the Art-Union's passing had left him and his fellow-artists: Since the American Art Union met its intimely [sic] & unnatural death at the hands of the N. York Herald & its unprincipled clique, enemies alike to Art, justice, & decency, I have been, in common with a great many of my countrymen abroad, who it is possible, most fully experienced the benefit of this institution, at a loss in what manner to dispose of my pictures at home, where to send them, or what to do with them—Without previous orders, or any fixed destination for what one produces, or an acquaintance among those who accept such commissions & which will secure their proper reception & exposition, there seems to be for those artists here, whose reputation at home has not been previously made, no means whatever of communicating with the public, or bringing their works in the least degree into view—This great inconvenience & in fact misfortune, may be chiefly felt by those of our artists who are abroad, & who came for purposes of study & improvement, and more especially by those whose career in Art may be said to have begun here... . The destruction of the A. Union, therefore, has withdrawn indispensable assistance, & has left them no possible resource upon which they can rely for the exhibition & possible sale of their pictures, an advantage which is necessary to their progress & success here, & even to their existence as artists, & without which they must give up the facilities they have sought at so much present sacrifice & return to the chances that await them at home A select committee of the Assembly of the State of New York, appointed April 15, 185 3, in response to a petition from "sundry citizens" to enquire into the affairs of the American Art-Union, stated that the directors of the Union may have been impractical in the handling of funds but that: It is due to the committee of management of this institution that your committee should report that no evidence was presented to impair their integrity as highly honorable men; and that they embarked in the enterprise of establishing this institution, actuated by a sincere desire to promote the fine arts in this country, there exists not a doubt in the minds of your committee. . . .** 43 Eastman Johnson (i 824-1906), Associate Member of the National Academy, i860; National Academician, 1860-1906. ** Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, 76th Session, 18$3 (Albany: 1853), VI: No. 115. 358