Catherina Elmendorf

In her left hand, she holds a red carnation, while her right hand is gently cupped upwards, a gesture often interpreted as signifying acceptance or receiving.

The portrait captures Catherina with notable attention to her attire and symbolic elements. An elaborate lace stomacher is fastened to her bodice, indicating the family's social standing. In her left hand, she holds a red carnation, while her right hand is gently cupped upwards, a gesture often interpreted as signifying acceptance or receiving. These details collectively convey aspects of childhood and status within colonial society.

Although the artist remains anonymous, the painting demonstrates a precise rendering of details, particularly in Catherina's clothing and accessories. The substantial scale of the canvas, measuring 50 by 40 inches, was a deliberate choice that underscored the sitter's family prominence. This work exemplifies the portraiture style favored by the Dutch-descended elite in Ulster County during the colonial period.

For more than 250 years, this portrait remained within the Elmendorf family, passed down through generations of the sitter's descendants. In 2006, Katharine H. Aldrich generously gifted the painting to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is now part of the museum's collection, displayed in The American Wing, where it contributes to the understanding of colonial material culture.