A strikingly ambitious example of group portraiture, John Durand’s (1731-1805) painting of the four Rapalje children, scions of a wealthy Manhattan mercantile family, is considered one of the finest examples of colonial painting in America. Breaking from earlier formulas for group portraiture, Durand’s painting lacks a background landscape and therefore simplifies the composition and unifies the group of figures. The sharp edges are typical of his style, as are the bright colors of his palette. The subjects are the children of Garret Rapalje and Helena (De Nyse) Rapalje. From left to right: Garret (b. 1757), George (b.1759), Anne (b. 1762), and Jacques (b. 1752). Durand