April 1850: Glasgow Art-Union Prizes

As so little of the Glasgow Art-Union’s archival material appears to have survived, articles and advertisements in newspapers and

journals, along with some rare ephemera, help to build an important account of its history and success.

 

For example, an article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 22nd of April, 1850, opens:

 

“GLASGOW ART UNION PRIZES.

On Friday, the fortunate prize-holders in the Art-Union of Glasgow selected, according to priority of choice,

the prizes purchased by the Association. The holder of the first prize had the first choice, the holder of the second

prize the second choice, and so on with the rest. At the close the list stood as follows:— …”

 

The list begins with:

 

“1. ‘Highland Landscape,’ by Horatio McCulloch, R.S.A.—Mrs. D Turner, 15 Union Street.

 

2. ‘Scene on the South Coast of  Madeira,’ by G. Simson, R.S.A.—Moses Steven, Esq. of Bellahouston.

 

3. ‘Walton on the Ribble, Lancashire,’ by James Peel—Malcolm Buchanan, jun., Esq. Regent Street,

Greenock.”

 

and continues to number 37.

 

Among the other names, are: W. J. D. Pateman, London; Thomas Morris, Esq., Caister; Lord Belhaven;

James Ewing, Esq. of Strathaven; John McIssac, Esq., Campbelton [sic]; His Grace the Duke of Hamilton;

T. Jones, Esq., Hong-Kong; and George Glen, Esq., Liverpool.

 

Following, are the list of names of recipients of: “Statuettes in Parian porcelain of ‘The Young Mother,’ modelled

by W. Beattie, Esq.”; and of “a framed artist’s proof of ‘Whittington’.”

 

The former include: William Wighton, Esq., 132 South Portland Street; William Patrick, Esq., Cathedral Lodge;

James Couper, Esq., Garngad Hill; and Thomas Bouch, Esq., Liverpool.

 

The latter include: Baron Marochetti, London; Robert Monteith, Esq., Carstairs House; A. G. Macdonald, Esq.,

57 Buchanan Street; and Miss Arabella Wood, Manchester.

 

 

The British Newspaper Archive.

 

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, July 2025.