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Mary Sully: A Reclamation

11 min. watch

For decades, the work of Native American artist Mary Sully remained unseen by almost anyone beyond her family.

Historian Philip Deloria, Sully’s great-nephew, shares how a discovery in his family’s basement brought this great artist’s work to light.

Gallery view from Mary Sully: Native Modern. Five drawings with vibrant colors and geometric patterns line a wall.

Gallery view from Mary Sully: Native Modern in Gallery 746 North in the American Wing. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. July 2024

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Art Mentioned

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Fiorello La Guardia (1882–1947), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, wax crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Fiorello La Guardia (1882–1947)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Eugene Field (1850–1895), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, wax crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Eugene Field (1850–1895)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Gertrude Stein (1874–1946), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, pastel crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Babe Ruth (1895–1948), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, wax crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Babe Ruth (1895–1948)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Alice, Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, wax crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Alice
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Lunt & Fontanne (Alfred Lunt, 1892–1977, and Lynn Louise Fontanne, 1887–1983), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, wax crayon, ink, and graphite on paper, Dakota
Lunt & Fontanne (Alfred Lunt, 1892–1977, and Lynn Louise Fontanne, 1887–1983)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Claudette Colbert (1903–1996), Mary Sully Native American, Colored pencil, black ink, gilt, white paint, and pastel crayon on paper, Dakota
Claudette Colbert (1903–1996)
Mary Sully
ca. 1920s–40s
Portrait of the Artist, Thomas Sully American, Oil on canvas, American
Portrait of the Artist
Thomas Sully
1821
Queen Victoria, Thomas Sully American, Oil on canvas, American
Queen Victoria
Thomas Sully
1838
Mrs. John Biddle (Eliza Falconer Bradish), Thomas Sully American, Oil on canvas, American
Mrs. John Biddle (Eliza Falconer Bradish)
Thomas Sully
1818
Mrs. Katherine Matthews, Thomas Sully American, Oil on canvas, American
Mrs. Katherine Matthews
Thomas Sully
1812–13