Born: 16 October 1678, Switzerland
Died: 20 September 1714
Country most active: Switzerland
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Anna Waser was born in Zurich, Switzerland, the daughter of Rudolph Waser, a man of considerable note and a member of the Council of the City of Zurich. She showed a lively interest in learning, approaching genius. When shown the picture of a flora of which she had finished a copy, Joseph Werner, an artist of Berne, caused her to study models and copy the best known pictures he could procure. She was then only thirteen years of age. She painted at first in oil, but later applied herself to miniatures. Her work procured for her the favor of most of the princes of Germany, and the Duke of Wiirttemberg sent his own and his sisters’ portraits for her to copy. She succeeded so well that her reputation was established in all Germany. The Margrave of Baden-Durlach was another patron. She received many commissions from the first personages in the Low Countries. She was prevailed upon by her father to devote most of her time to portrait painting, yet pastoral scenes were her favorite subjects. She displayed delicacy in taste, in invention and composition. In all her works she showed a fine genius and a good sense of coloring. And what is more, she seemed to know instinctively how to please her patrons as well as herself. This double obligation she considered as a requisite, for herself at least.