Portrait of Elizabeth "Betje" Van Dyck Vosburg., c. 1725. Unsigned, in original frame; accompanied by a Van Dyke family bible printed in Amsterdam in 1702. Condition: Minor repairs, scattered retouch.
Literature: Genealogy research from the Collections on the history of Albany: from its discovery to the present time, edited by Joel Munsell (Albany, New York, 1871), indicates Elizabeth was christened April 23, 1697, and was the second child of eight children born to Hendrick (1665-1707) and Maria [Schuyler] (1666-1742), both of Albany. It is reported that Hendrick, a surgeon, drowned April 11, 1707.
Note: Elizabeth is portrayed holding a flower in her right hand and a silver patchbox in her left. The patchbox is inscribed with "E" and "M," the initials of Elizabeth and her husband Martin Vosburg. It is thought that her portrait commemorates their marriage of September 3, 1725. Martin Vosburg was born in Albany and christened January 31, 1697. Their marriage took place at the Albany Dutch Reformed Church, New York. They had one child, Elizabeth, born September 15, 1729.
Small patch repair u.l. background, and three small background areas with reinforced stitching, numerous scattered small spot s of retouch to subject and background, with a few larger spots approx 3/4 in. dia., one to forehead, the patch, and repaired areas. There is a frayed line on the canvas at center left.
The portrait and bible descended through nine generations of the Van Dyke and Yates families of the Albany and Schenectady areas of New York, and were sold at Christie's Important Furniture and Decorative Arts Auction, January 15-16, 2004, Lot 257.
