The American Art-Union (1839–1851) was a subscription-based organization founded in 1840, whose goal was to enlighten and educate an American public to a national art, while providing a support system for the viewing and sales of art “executed by (A)rtists in the United States or by American (A)rtists abroad." The idea of an art union had been a popular one since the early 19th century in Europe. They first appeared in Switzerland, gaining great popularity in both Germany and the United Kingdom in the 1830s. It was the UK's version — Art-Union of London (AUL) — that was used as a model for the American Art-Union (AAU).
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“It was the feeling of a passenger on an ocean steamer whose mind will not give him rest until he has been in the engine-room and talked with the engineer. She wanted to see with her own eyes the action of primary forces; to touch with her own eyes the action of primary forces; to touch with her own hand the massive machinery of society; to measure with her own mind the capacity of the motive power. She was bent upon getting to the heart of the great American mystery of democracy and government.”
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