Catalyntje Post

Catalyntje Post is an oil on canvas portrait painted in 1747 by an unidentified American artist of the 18th century. The work originated in New York State and remained in the Post family until it entered the market via Miss Katharine Olcott, who owned it by 1949 as documented in a 1949 photographic caption. In 1950 Fred J. Johnson sold the painting to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who later bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in 1980. The painting is now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.

The painting Catalyntje Post is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It entered the museum’s collection in 1980 through the bequest of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who acquired it in 1950 from Miss Katharine Olcott, who had owned it by 1949. The work remains part of the gallery’s permanent holdings. No exhibition history is documented in the sources consulted.

The National Gallery of Art’s catalogue records the acquisition and provenance but does not list a separate accession number for the piece.

Catalyntje Post is an 18th-century American oil painting on canvas, portraying a young girl. The artist captures her with a sense of poise, dressed in elaborate clothing against a subdued backdrop. This work exemplifies the period's approach to child portraiture, emphasizing both the individual and the social context through detailed representation of attire and demeanor.

The painting features a young girl, Catalyntje Post, standing formally within a dimly lit interior. She is adorned in a striking red and white striped dress, complemented by a white apron embellished with yellow floral motifs and a coordinating hat. Her posture, with one hand resting on her hip and the other holding a small item, conveys a sense of youthful dignity and composure.

Created by an American artist during the 18th century, "Catalyntje Post" reflects the era's conventions for depicting children. Such portraits often served to document family lineage and social standing, with the subjects' elaborate dress signifying their family's prosperity. The painting thus offers insight into both individual identity and broader cultural values of the period.