BERLIN.- The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin recently marked a significant moment in art history with the launch of a new publication celebrating the life and work of Anna Dorothea Therbusch, one of the most remarkable artists of the 18th century. This event, held on September 26, 2024, featured a presentation of the book and an evening lecture, culminating a two-year research project focused on Therbusch’s paintings. The publication and related research bring renewed attention to this pioneering woman artist, who overcame significant barriers in a male-dominated art world.

Anna Dorothea Therbusch (1721–1782) was a major figure in the European Rococo movement. Born in Berlin, she quickly established herself as a talented artist, receiving commissions from prominent patrons, including members of the Prussian royal family. Her career reached new heights in 1767, when she was admitted to the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris—an extraordinary achievement for a woman at the time. Upon her return to Berlin, Therbusch became a sought-after portraitist among the city’s elite, known for her mythological and historical works created for the palaces of Frederick II of Prussia and her later commissions from Empress Catherine II of Russia.

The Gemäldegalerie’s Groundbreaking Research

The newly launched book, Anna Dorothea Therbusch in Berlin und Brandenburg: Werke, Technik, Kontext (Anna Dorothea Therbusch in Berlin and Brandenburg: Works, Technique, Context), is the culmination of a comprehensive art-historical and technical investigation into Therbusch’s work, conducted by the Gemäldegalerie between 2022 and 2024. This project followed a major exhibition held in 2021–22 to celebrate Therbusch’s 300th birthday. That exhibition, in collaboration with the Alte Nationalgalerie, brought Therbusch’s work to the forefront of public attention, offering a detailed look at her art and contextualizing her within Berlin’s Enlightenment-era art scene.

The book provides an in-depth exploration of the paintings housed in public collections across Berlin and the Brandenburg region. It systematically catalogs these works while also offering thematic essays that shed light on Therbusch’s methods, materials, and thematic concerns. These essays delve into her personal networks, career strategies, and the broader reception of her art over time. This scholarly publication is a significant contribution to re-establishing Therbusch as a central figure in 18th-century European art.

The research project aimed to deepen understanding of Therbusch’s techniques and offer insights into her legacy as an artist. By systematically cataloging the works found in Berlin’s museums and other institutions, the publication presents a more complete picture of her oeuvre. The accompanying essays provide fresh perspectives on her life, her relationships with other artists, and the broader context of her work, helping to secure her place among the great artists of her time.

The book was edited by Nuria Jetter in collaboration with Sarah Salomon and Anja Wolf, and it features contributions from leading scholars such as Jens Bartoll, Gerd Bartoschek, and Alexandra Nina Bauer. At 256 pages, it is a comprehensive and richly illustrated volume that draws on the latest research to bring Therbusch’s remarkable career into sharper focus.

Therbusch’s Networks and Career Strategies

The book launch event on September 26 included an insightful evening lecture by Katharina Küster from the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart. Titled A “Meteor” in the Southern German Sky: Anna Dorothea Therbusch’s Networks and Career Strategies, the lecture delved into the artist’s strategic navigation of the art world in her time. Küster highlighted Therbusch’s relationships with fellow artists such as sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow and her brother, Christoph Friedrich Reinhold Lisiewsky, himself a noted painter.

Therbusch’s career serves as an exceptional example of how a woman could rise to prominence in the male-dominated art world of the 18th century. Her ability to build connections with powerful patrons and influential networks helped her succeed despite the significant societal constraints placed on women artists. Küster’s lecture also touched on Therbusch’s innovative approach to portraying female figures, particularly her depictions of female nudes and mythological heroines—subjects traditionally dominated by male artists but which Therbusch approached from a distinct, female perspective.

Continuing the Dialogue: A Symposium on Therbusch and Her Peers

The book launch was part of a broader symposium titled Anna Dorothea Therbusch in Context: 18th Century Artists in Berlin and Europe, which took place on September 26 and 27, 2024. This international gathering of scholars brought together experts from across Europe to present the latest research on Therbusch and her contemporaries, expanding the discourse surrounding her place in art history. Topics discussed included her influence on Jewish women’s portraiture, her conception of artistic identity, and her innovative use of materials and techniques.

The symposium also provided new comparative studies between Therbusch’s work and that of her peers, offering fresh perspectives on her contributions to the broader European art scene of the 18th century. By examining the intersections between her work and that of other key figures in Berlin and beyond, scholars gained a deeper understanding of the artistic trends and societal influences that shaped her career.

A Legacy Reclaimed

The Gemäldegalerie’s commitment to spotlighting the life and work of Anna Dorothea Therbusch is part of a larger effort to bring visibility to women artists who were historically overlooked. By launching this comprehensive publication and hosting the accompanying symposium, the museum has taken a crucial step in reclaiming Therbusch’s legacy and elevating her contributions to the art world.

Therbusch’s career, marked by resilience, talent, and strategic acumen, is a testament to the remarkable achievements of women artists during the Enlightenment. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she managed to forge a successful career, securing commissions from royalty and creating works that continue to resonate today. The book and symposium have helped ensure that her story, once at risk of being forgotten, is now fully integrated into the broader narrative of art history.

As interest in the contributions of women artists continues to grow, Anna Dorothea Therbusch’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire further research and recognition. The Gemäldegalerie’s efforts to highlight her life and work through this comprehensive research project have ensured that her remarkable achievements will remain in the public consciousness for generations to come. With her works now systematically cataloged and her methods better understood, Therbusch’s legacy as one of the leading figures of 18th-century art is finally being reclaimed and celebrated.