The New York herald., 1921-05-15

industrious, conscientious and very
talented artist whose blameless life and
checkered and Interesting career have
been carefully recorded in the pages of
Dunlap, Tuckerman. Isham and Hart,
not to mention other authors. This
preface will only mention briefly those
facts which will assist the reader TO
realize the interest Of the current ex-
hibition.
The Importance OF this exhibition and
the major part of it's treasure are TO be
credited to Mrs. Mary Harriss Sully Of
Brooklyn. widow OF DR.. Albert Walter
Sully, who was the son of Gen. Alfred
Sully and the grandson of the artist.
Through this family relationship Mrs.
Suly has become the heir and owner Of
a very interesting group OF paintings.
miniatures. color sketches and drawings.
including the important material in
sully's studio at the time OF his death.
his Book Of Landscapes" his Book OF
Sketches" his color studies for illustra-
tions OF Robinson Crusoe and other in
teresting memorabilia Of the artists
work.
In the works OF the careful and we'll
Informed biographers who have been
mentioned there does not appear to be
any reference to Sully's talents as
done any work whatever in this direc-
ticn. 1t appears probable that no fin
ished landscapes from his brush are
known. Consequently, the excellent
quality OF the seven color studies OF
landscapes In this exhibition must be a
revelation, even to many OF those who
are intimately acquainted with the art
| lists work. The sketches for Robinson
! Crusoe reveal him as having also hac
distinct talent as an inventive illustrator
Two important events Of Sully's life
are also suggested by the exhibits. IN
his early years he obtained the small
sum OF money which enabled him TO
study In England by undertaking 70
make. while abroad, copies OF old mas
| ters Zone each for each subscriber OF
| 5000 to the fund OF s1.40o which was 70
enable him TO undertake the trip. This
project was carried out and the sketch
book" contains numerous preliminary
sketches for these copies. Although only
two pages OF the open book can be
shown we have here a touching reminder
OF his early poverty.
The most important event IN the paint
er's career was his commission TO paint
the portrait OF Queen Victoria In 1889
for the st. George Society OF Fhiiadel-
phia. ut Is now in the hall of the SO
y.1
some OF the preliminary pencil sketches
for this picture are among the exhibits.
Tho thirteen beautiful miniatures VIII
speak for themselves. as VIII also the
numerous portraits In oil which represent
the main activity OF the artists life, and
are consequently the most important fea-
ture OF the exhibition. Besides the oil
paintings lent by Mrs. Sully, eleven In
number. there are two which belong 70
the museum and others from various
loaners including John Hill Morgan
Mrs William Armistead Lane and Will
lam Henry Fox.
Thomas Sully was born a Horncastle.
Lincolnshire, England. in 1888. and died
in Philadelphia in 1872. In 1892 he was
taken at the age OF nine to Charleston,
s. O.. by his parents. who went there
10 exercise their profession as actors.
From 1899 TO 1904 he was associated
with his brother Laurance, a miniature
painter OF subordinate rank, In Richmond
and Norfolk. Va. Between 1906 and
1908 he lived in New York, mainly IN
order to improve his art by association
with Trumbull. lie was also encouraged
at this time by Gilbert Stuart IN Boston.
In 1903 he studied in London under
Benjamin West. and settled permanently
in Philadelphia in 1910. In 1878 he
again VlSllcu iLHsldIlu anu pdluA1u q Abli
length portrait OF Queen Victoria. Be-
tween 1920 and 1910 he exhibited ten
portraits at the Royal Academy. Accord
ing 10 the Register of Portraits Painted
by Thomas Sully," arranged and edited
by Thomas Suily arranged and
edited by Charles Henry Hart" tho
artist. painted 2,520 portraits. and II IS
stated by MIR. Hart that some pictures
are amitted from the Register.