Boston Artists' Association facts for kids

The Boston Artists' Association was a group of artists in Boston, Massachusetts. It was started in 1841 by famous artists like Washington Allston and Henry Sargent. Their goal was to create a place for artists to show their work, learn, and have a studio. They wanted to support art "for the art's sake," meaning they believed art was important for its own value. The association lasted for about ten years, until 1851.

A Place for Artists to Grow

The artists who formed this group felt that their profession was very important. They believed that artists needed a good way to study and learn to become successful. They also thought that working together and supporting each other would be very helpful.

So, they decided to form an association to achieve these goals. They promised to be fair and supportive, putting aside any jealous or selfish feelings. Their main focus was always on helping art itself grow and thrive.

Meetings and Studios

The Boston Artists' Association grew quickly. In 1842, they had 44 members, and by 1845, there were 66! They held regular meetings every two weeks. These meetings were social gatherings where artists could connect and share ideas. They often met at Chester Harding's art gallery on School Street in Boston.

The association also had a special studio space for its members. In this studio, artists could practice drawing and painting. They used both real people (living models) and plaster statues (casts) to help them learn. Some of these casts were given to them by member Henry Sargent. They also borrowed some from the Boston Athenæum, a famous library and art gallery.

The Art School

In 1842, the association started its own art school. John Pope was in charge of the school. Teachers like Samuel P. Long and B.F. Nutting helped guide the students.

At first, the school was located in Harding's Gallery on School Street. Later, in 1846, it moved to rented rooms on Tremont Row. This school provided a valuable opportunity for young artists to learn and improve their skills.

Art Shows and Exhibitions

One of the main goals of the Boston Artists' Association was to organize art exhibitions. These shows allowed artists to display their work to the public. They also helped people in Boston see and appreciate new art.

• 1842: The first exhibition was held at Harding's Gallery. It featured paintings by members like Henry Sargent and Fitz Henry Lane. It also included works by famous European artists like Tintoretto and Anthony van Dyck.
• 1843: The second exhibition also took place at Harding's Gallery. This show included art by well-known American painters such as Thomas Cole, Asher Brown Durand, and Thomas Sully. Many people lent their artworks to make these shows possible.
• 1844: The third exhibition was again at Harding's Gallery. Important people like Professor Ticknor and Daniel Webster lent their art for this show.
• 1845-1847: For three years, the Boston Artists' Association teamed up with the Boston Athenaeum to hold joint exhibitions. This partnership allowed them to put on even bigger and better art shows.

Members of the Association

Many talented artists were part of the Boston Artists' Association. Here are some of them:

Images for kids

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  Henry Sargent's The Dinner Party (around 1821). This painting was shown at the first Boston Artists' Association exhibit in 1842.

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  Chester Harding's portrait of Abbott Lawrence (around 1842). It was also part of the first exhibit in 1842.

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  An advertisement for the 1842 exhibit of the Boston Artists' Association.

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  Thomas Cole's Old Age from his series Voyage of Life (1842). This painting was shown at the second exhibit in 1843.

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  The Boston Athenaeum building on Pearl Street (around 1830). The Boston Artists' Association held joint exhibits here from 1845 to 1847.