3-052-486 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new building of the Art-Union of London, 1880. '...the Art-Union of London was required to...form a fund "for the purpose of purchasing or building a gallery, and providing a permanent fund for the objects of the society." The council have felt themselves in a position to erect the new building...The style adopted is Italian, treated in the Palladian manner, with Corinthian three-quarter columns and pilasters...The ground floor has a central entrance, over which the special device of the Art-Union is carved, with reclining youths as supporters. The spandrels of the three arches above are sculptured with boys bearing the insignia of the Fine Arts - Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture...The upper part of the elevation is rusticated in the Florentine style...Each window is surmounted by a carved panel, having the...motto, "L'Union fait la Force," worked in stone...The windows of both the upper stories have balconies...The carving, which was very well executed by Messrs. Mabey, is suggestive of the purpose of the institution, the union of the arts and encouragement of a taste among the public...the Strand front is of Portland stone throughout. The contractors were Messrs. Perry, of Bow. The late Mr. E.M. Barry, R.A., was the architect'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.