This is a steel engraving of Mary Arthur McElroy, sister of President Chester A. Arthur, created by John Sartain. Sartain was one of the prominent engravers of the 19th century. McElroy filled some of the roles of First Lady during Arthur's presidency from 1881 to 1885. Arthur did not remarry after the death of his wife Ellen Herndon Arthur in 1880. McElroy was President Arthur's sister and had a family of her own. Due to this she only spent time in Washington D.C. during the winter social season.

This is a hand-tinted photograph based on original photograph of Ellen Herndon Arthur by Charles Milton Bell, professionally known as C. M. Bell. She was the wife of President Chester A. Arthur but died of pneumonia before he took office. According to tradition, each day fresh flowers were placed in front of this portrait while President Arthur was in the White House. In addition to this portrait, President Arthur commissioned a stained glass window of her to be placed in St. John's Episcopal Church, which he could see from the White House.