English: Durand was regarded as one of New York's finest painters. He lived in the City for only a brief time –1766 to 1768, during which time he painted members of the Beekman, Bancker, Rapalje and other prominent New York City families of the era. Durand painted Garret Rapalje, the father of the Rapalje children, in a separate portrait. (That painting is now severely abraded, likely due to a prior restoration.) Garret Rapalje (b. 1730) was the son of George Janse Rapalje and Diana (Middagh) Rapalje. He married Helena de Nyse (b. 1732), and made his living as an importer in New York City. During the 1760s he was an assistant alderman of the City. During the Revolutionary War, Rapalje was a Loyalist, and later left New York City for New Orleans. He and his wife had four children (from left to right): Garret II (b. 1757); George (b. 1759); Anne (b. 1762); and Jacques (b. 1752). Rapalje was descended from Joris Jansen Rapalje, one of the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam.