Anna Waser

(bapt Zurich, 16 Oct 1678; d Zurich, 20 Sept 1714). Swiss painter and etcher. She received her first lessons in Zurich, from Johannes Sulzer (1652-1717), under whose direction she painted a Self-portrait at the Age of Twelve (1691; Zurich, Ksthaus), in which the portrait on the easel beside her is of Sulzer. From 1692 to 1695/6 she studied with Joseph Werner II in Berne, then set up as a miniature painter in Zurich. Soon her reputation grew and earned her commissions from all over Europe, especially from Germany, England and the Netherlands. From 1699 to 1702 she was employed at the court of Solms-Braunfels, then returned to Zurich, where she continued to paint mainly allegorical and idyllic pastoral subjects (none of which survive) and miniature portraits. An elegant silverpoint drawing of the Ideal Head of a Woman (1711; Berlin, Altes Mus.) shows a profile drawn in the manner of antique busts but with finely delineated hair and a lively expression; it resembles contemporary French drawings. Her sister Elisabetha Waser (1683-1729) was a calligrapher and graphic artist.

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