The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 40
Distribution of Prizes, 1880
Distribution of Prizes, 1880.
The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Art-Union of Victoria took place at the Athenæum on Friday afternoon, 2nd April; Mr. Robert Wallen, Vice-President, in the chair.
The Scrutineer, Mr. A. W. Cleveland, certified that the proper number of tickets were in the respective ballot-boxes.
The Chairman then made a few remarks, and feelingly alluded to the death of the late President (Mr. Richard Twenty man).
The progress report was then read by the Hon. Secretary, as follows:—
"Ladies and gentlemen—Your Council has great regret in announcing that your Society has not been successful in obtaining that measure of support to which the Council believe it to be justly entitled, notwithstanding the active exertions of your agents and canvassers, and the great assistance willingly given by well-wishers of the Society. Making every allowance for the generally prevailing depression in all branches of business throughout the Australian colonies, still your Council considers that it would have been no severe strain upon those with ample means if, inspired by earnest good will towards the development of local art, they had subscribed much more numerously than they have done. It has been disappointing to find that in some cases even past prize-winners have not felt it incumbent upon them to give the Society what is individually a very small measure of aid. This is specially to be deplored, as the Academy of Arts Exhibition, which will be opened to-morrow, contains a large proportion of unusually good works. The members of the Academy of Arts and other artists, who have so largely benefited by your Society, have, as a rule, shown the utmost indifference to the success of the Art-Union, inasmuch as they have neither obtained subscriptions from others nor become members themselves. They are willing to reap any pecuniary advantage from your Society, but they will do nothing else. Messrs. Nelson, Earles, and Gibbes, artists, have, however, worked hard, and have obtained a considerable number of subscriptions, showing what can be done by those who are willing to assist in the interests of art. Had all exerted themselves in the same way, they would, no doubt, have individually derived advantage, and the Academy of Arts, from whose annual exhibition the prizes given by your Society are selected, would have been financially benefited. The presentation chromo is admirably executed, and the subject is thoroughly characteristic of Australia; it was, therefore, hoped that a large subscription-list would have been obtained. Your Council has great pleasure in intimating that D. M'Dougall, Esq., of the firm of Messrs. Sands and M'Dougall, has in a spirit of liberality, and in the interests of the artists of Victoria, presented your Society with the munificent sum of £100 towards the prize fund. It is not too much to say that a gift such as this, and the presentation of the fine picture, "No Surrender," to the Victorian National Gallery, will make his name a household word amongst patrons of art. Would that there were more like him. Your Council deeply regret the death of your President, Mr. Richard Twentyman, who for so many years earnestly aided the cause of art, and gave his valuable assistance to your Society. His loss has been greatly felt by your Council. The subscriptions for the season number 889, yielding, net, £854. To this sum have to be added the donation of Mr. D. M'Dougall, £100, and the balance carried forward from last year of £19, making the total receipts £973. Out of this sum the following items have to be paid :—Chromos, £490; printing and stationery, £45; freight and carriage of chromos, £70; salary, £40; printing report. £25; advertising and other petty expenses, £90; total, £760—leaving a balance available for division as prizes of £213, besides Mr. Ford's picture, valued at £60. The Council has appropriated to the prize fund £264 15s., which has been divided into twenty-five prizes. Mr. Ford's original picture, "The Last of the Drove." valued at £60, will constitute the first prize."
Misses Gibbes and Joyce officiated at the ballot-boxes, and Messrs. R. Colvin Clark and J. A. B. Koch as scrutineers. The drawing then took place, with the result shown in the schedule on the following pages, which was published as an advertisement in the Melbourne daily papers of the following day.
Votes of thanks to the ladies and scrutineers terminated the proceedings.
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Art—Union of Victoria.
Statement of Receipts and Expenditure, Season 1880.
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List of Prise-Winners—Eighth Season, 1880.
Determined at the Annual Distribution, April, 1880.