Milwaukee museum features Thomas Sully exhibit
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Art Museum is exhibiting more than 70 works done by 19th century portrait painter Thomas Sully.
It's the first retrospective of the artist in 30 years and the first to present the artist's portraits and subject pictures.
Sully was known for employing drama and theatricality to his works. In some of his full-length portraits, he composed his figures as if they were onstage. Some of his subjects even seem to be trying to directly engage the viewer.
Milwaukee Art Museum Director Daniel Keegan says the exhibit provides a new look at one of the most important 19th century American artists.
"Thomas Sully: Painted Performance" starts Friday and runs through Jan. 5. It travels to the San Antonio Museum of Art starting Feb. 5.
