The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-07-30
POSED FOR THE QUEEN.
An American Girl Lent Eer Figure
to Victoria.
1t Was Back in 1897, and the Girl
Was the Daughter of Thomas
Sully, Americas Greatest
Portrait Painter.

ABOUT two years ago handsome old
lady, Miss Blanche Sully, of Philadel-
phia, visited Washington. She was the
guest of her sister, the late Mrs. John
II. Wheeler, 2S Grant place. In 1887 this
lady was beautiful girl, and had an
experience no other American girl ever
enjoyed. Her father, Thomas Sully,
Americas greatest portrait painter, had
been engaged by the Society of St.
GeoT,e and st. Andrew of Philadelphia,
to paint the portrait of the young queen
of England. Blanche Sully, his daugh-
ter, accompanied her father on this
interesting mission. Both were quar-
tered at Windsor castle, and Queen Vic
toria consented to pose for the por-
trait until the face was finished. After
that the royal robes were placed on
the shoulders of Blanche Sully, and she
stood for hours in the position as in
dicated in the steel engravings now
in the possession of Col. Sully Wheeler,
of Washington, the grandson of Thomas
Sully. This steel engraving was the
original executed in London under the
supervision of Sully himself, and was
owned by that artist until he gave it
to his daughter, Mrs. Ellen Sully
Wheeler, for many years an honored
resident of the nations capital. Mrs.
Wheeler had two sons, who now live
here, Col. Sully Wheeler and Maj Wood
bury Wheeler. These gentlemen recall
many incidents connected with the
painting of this portrait, especially in
connection with the queens jubilee.
Miss Blanche Sully was then a charm
ing girl, and the head of her, painted
by her father, gives evidence of rare
beauty and refinement. She found the
coronation robes of the young queen
burden, weighing 40 pounds, ard
probably became very tired CT her gor-
geous borrowed plumage, hut when the
task was done and her fathers portrait
was hung in the Royal academy, q sim
pie portrait was ordered for Buclling-
ham palace, and Queen Victoria gave
Blanche Sully a splendid diamond sig
net ring and an autograph letter thank
ing her for the trouble she had taken.
Sully received $4,000 for the portrait
he painted for the Society of ST. George
and ST. Andrew, and was munificently
paid for those he painted for his Eng
lish patrons. After his return TO this
country he spent much time with his
daughter, Mrs. Ellen Sully Wheeler, and
during one of his visits painted
charming group, which represents Mrs.
Wheeler with her two babies, now stall
wart citizens of the District.
When the war began Sully Wheeler
was in the United States navy. and gal
lantly served his country throughout
that memorable struggle. The other
joined the confederates and fought as
bravely for lost cause. They were
again reunited after peace resumed her
propitious sway.
Gen. Alfred Sully, the son of the art
ist, was a brigadier general in the fed
eral army, and was frequently quar-
tered in Washington. He was gradu-
ate of West Point and participant in
the Indian wars, the Mexican war, and
distinguished himself in several engage
ments in the late war, rising from the
rank of captain to brigadier general.
Col. Sully Wheeler and Mai. Woodbury.
Wheeler own many splendid specimens
Of their distinguished grandfather's
art. There is no finer collection of par
traits in any one family connection in
the District of Columbia. The flesh
tints in Sully's portraits retain to a
wonderful degree their original color
ing. AS the years go by his fame in
creases, and he is easily first among
the American artists. The romantic
episode in his life and in that of his
beautiful daughter Blanche. when they
spent two months in Windsor castle, is
revived by the jubilee celebration in
which the world has just taken part
Washington Post.