The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-27
AMERICAN GIRL POSED FOR THB
QUEEN.
Victoria Sat Tor the Face. While Miss suiiy
Supplied the Figure.


About two years ago Il handsome old lady,
Miss Blanche Sully OF Philadelphia, visited
Washington. She was the guest OF her sister.
the late Mrs. John II. Wheeler. - Grant place.
In 1897 this lady WAS n beautiful girl, and had
an experience no other American Cir! ever en-
joyed. Her father, Thomas Sully, Americas
greatest portrait painter, had been engaged by
the Society Of st. George and ~, Andrew OF
Philadelphia TO paint tho portrait Of the young
Queen of England; Blanche Sully, his daugh'
ter, accompanied her father On tins interesting
Castle, and Queen Victoria consented 10 pose for
blanche suily,, and she stood for hours in tho
In the possession Of Col. sully Wheeler OF Wash
ington, the grandson OF Thomas Suiiy. This
steel engraying, was the %orisin"l executed n
and was owned, by tina! artist until he gave ii to
his daughter. Mrs. Ellen ,Sully Wheeler. for
many years an honorcd resident az the nations
capital. Mrs Wheeler had two sons, who now
live here, Col. sully Wheeler and Major, Wood.
incidents connected with tho ~pniutiug OF this
portrait Especially in connection with the
Miss blanche sully was then u charming girl.
and, the head OF her, painted 10y her father, gives
S fSnna the OF aor r"n" hm,r roSes " OF he mi y%nmg oacs sn o
burden, weighing forty, pounds. aud probably
became very tired Of her gorgeous borrowed
plumnge, but when the task was done md her
fathers portrait was hung iii The Royal AcRde-
my; II similar portrait was ordered Tor Buck
lHSHHll ! dlslNN, bnh TllAlU ' lilNIlh kuNO
Blanche Sully "a splendid diamond signct ring
and an AUTOGRAPH letter thanking her for tho
trouble She had taken. SnlIy received $40 900
OF 81. George aud 81. Andrew, and was munit-
Gently paid for those he painted for his English
patrons. After his return to this country he
spent much time with his daughter. Mrs. Ellen
Sully Wheeler, md during ono II his visits
painted II charming group. which represents
Mrs. Wheeler with her two babies, now stall
wnrt citizens OF the District.
Whoa the wHr began Sully Wheeler was in
the United Statca navy, and galltntiy served
his country throughout that memorable strug-
gle. Tho other Joined The toufrdvrntes and
fought Hs bravcly for II lost cause. They wero
again reunited after peace Resumed her pro-
pitiOns sway,
Gen, Alfred Sully, the son OF the artist. was =
| Brigadiur General In tho Federal Army. and was
! frequently quHrtcrcd in Washington. lie was u
graduate Of West Point and n participant in tho
Indian wars, the Mexican war. and distin-
guished himself in several cnglErmcnts IN the
late war, rising from llr rank nf Captain Ia
Acknowledgement tOl. Suib WhpCivr and
Major Woodbury. Wheeler own many splendid
specilnrus of their distinguished grindiather's
arr, There is no finer collection uf portraits In
any one family connection In tho District Of
Columbia, The flesh tinIS in Sultv's portraits
retain 10 a wonderful degree lnuir original col
orinE; As tlc year, 90 ny his fame increases,
and he l, easily first among the American
artists. The romantic episOd, in his life and in
that Of his beautiful daughter Blanche, when
they spent two months III Windsor C0SAle, il no
vived by the iubilee celebration inv hh thA
! world takes part this week. ~ =