MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Isabel Eberstadt, Walter De Maria, Susanna De Maria Wilson, Terry Riley(?), and an unidentified man, 1966

Photograph of five people posing outdoors. There is a wood fence with vines and lanterns in the background, although it is dark in the background. Three people--women in front left (Isabel Eberstadt) and both men in the back (Walter De Maria (left) and Terry Riley (right))—are looking towards the camera, while the man on the right (unidentified) is looking off to the side and the woman in center (Susanna De Maria Wilson) is looking downward. Eberstadt is sitting in a lawn chair, wearing a sparkly black top, large earrings, and her hair is in an updo. Susan de Maria Wilson is in a zebra-print top with her arm resting on the back of Eberstadt’s chair. The three men are all in white button-down shirts, De Maria and unidentified men both wearing ties, and De Maria wearing glasses.
Arnold Rockwood, photographer. Isabel Eberstadt, Walter De Maria, Susanna De Maria Wilson, Terry Riley(?), and an unidentified man, 1966 July 3. Susanna De Maria Wilson papers, 1960-1966.

 

The Mystery:

Where: unknown

When: July 3, 1966

Who (left to right): Isabel Eberstadt, Walter De Maria, Susanna De Maria Wilson, Terry Riley, and an unidentified man. Arnold Rockwood is the photographer.

What: Group gathers outdoors at nighttime

Help us solve the mystery:

1. Is it Terry Riley (second from right, in the back)?

2. Who is the man on the right?

3. Where was this photo taken?

About the People in the Photo:

Isabel Eberstadt (1933 – 2006) was a journalist, author, and socialite. She was the daughter of poet and writer Ogden Nash, and she published two novels of her own. She was a muse for Andy Warhol, featured in his film, “The Thirteen Most Beautiful Women,” as well as a fashion model and patron of the arts.

Walter De Maria (1935 – 2013) was a New York-based American artist, sculptor, illustrator, and composer. His work is considered part of the minimal art, land art, and conceptual art movements. His work uses geometric components and repetition to explore the relationship between the relative and the absolute.

Susanna De Maria Wilson (1940 - ) is a designer who was married to artist, sculptor, and illustrator Walter De Maria. Susanna De Maria Wilson was also a part of Andy Warhol’s film, “The Thirteen Most Beautiful Women.”

The Solution:

The Mystery of Isabel Eberstadt, Walter De Maria, Susanna De Maria Wilson, Terry Riley, and an unidentified man, 1966

1. Is it Terry Riley (second from right, in the back)?

Yes, this is confirmed to be Terry Riley.

2. Who is the man on the right?

To be determined.

3. Where was this photo taken?

To be determined.

How to Get In Touch:

If you have leads, clues, or ideas of who the unknown individuals may be , email us at AAAMysteries@si.edu. Your email should include:

  1. Your first and last name
  2. Your organization, if applicable
  3. Your preferred mode of contact, should we need to reach you (e.g. email address or phone number)
  4. The photo name (for which you are identifying the unknown individual)
  5. The name of the individual you believe is the unidentifiable figure in the photo or any information you may have that could help us identify the individual
  6. Your level of certainty in the information you provided

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