About

The legacy of Mongerson Gallery dates back to its founding in 1971 by Mel Mongerson and Susan Mongerson Wunderlich. In 1985, leadership passed to Rudy Wunderlich, a distinguished American art dealer and former president of Kennedy Gallery in New York. During this period, the gallery was known as Mongerson-Wunderlich. Following in his family's footsteps, Mel and Susan’s son, Tyler Mongerson, joined the gallery in the 1990s and eventually assumed operations in 1999. He established himself as a knowledgeable authority on period Western artwork and bronzes, and was sought after for his expertise by esteemed institutions such as the Thomas Gilcrease Museum, The National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and The Rockwell Museum. Under Tyler's leadership, the gallery flourished and underwent significant transformations including an expanded focus to include the works of Surrealists like Gertrude Abercrombie and Julia Thecla as well as artists from Detroit, including Charles McGee and Harold Neal.  Following Tyler's passing in 2023, the gallery pivoted once again, shifting to private dealing and moving to its current location in Chicago's River North neighborhood.