When I think about the origins of master artists, Switzerland doesn’t readily come to my mind. I mean, it’s not Italy, or France, or Holland, or England, it’s Switzerland. Of course, there are a few like Giacometti and Klee, and others, but their names don’t readily roll out of the history books. Switzerland brings to mind scientists and mathematicians and writers and philosophers and tennis greats, and the like.
After stumbling upon this exceptional woman portrait artist from the late 1600s who was not only Swiss but also a child prodigy, I was quite pleasantly surprised. Anna Waser was born in 1678 in Zurich, and at the early age of 12 exhibited a superior interest and talent for painting and drawing.
Lucky Anna
Like so many of the young girls featured in Dancing Backwards, Anna was fortunate to come from a family with enlightened parents who promoted edification for all children, including the girls. Luckily for Anna, she had early advanced training for a female student of her time getting instruction in languages, mathematics, painting, drawing, calligraphy, etching, and other essential classes, all of which she excelled. Her only remaining oil painting shows her painting her self-portrait while painting a portrait of her teacher, Johann Georg Sulzer (in the far-left corner). Other remaining artworks by Waser are drawings in various media including charcoal, gouache, and silverpoint.
Scant few pigments were available for Anna to work with during this period as synthetics were yet to be invented. Egyptian Blue Frit and vermilion would be a couple of exceptions here. It is only speculation on my part, but the pigments used in this one and only painting (her self-portrait above) are perhaps ivory black, vermilion, a white of some sort (usually flake), various earth colors such as burnt umber, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre.
Embellishments
Waser would continue her artistic endeavors as she grew older and quickly developed a reputation as a skilled miniature painter of various subjects mostly portraiture. Her work in the Baroque style of the 17th and 18th centuries, was characterized by finely detailed embellishments, luxurious colors, and drama.
A Faded Legacy
Like so many other women artists of her time such as Rachel Ruysch and Elisabetta Sirani, few of Anna’s works have survived. She made her mark and set a path for other Swiss girls and women to pursue their passion though, as always, societal barriers stood in the way. Her legacy as a successful and gifted artist has faded like nearly all of the featured women in this series. Sadly, Anna Waser died at a tragically young age of 36 as the result of an accidental fall.
Dancing Backwards Coming Soon
Many of these pigments will be used in Dancing Backwards 3 Coming in September 2026 at Bronze Coast Gallery, in Beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon. The legend of ” Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did only backwards and in high heels.” Ann Richards. Anna Waser is the 21st woman artist featured in this series. The lives of each one can be found here on this blog starting in early 2025.
Leave a Reply