Anton Alexander von Werner

Anton Alexander von Werner (May 9, 1843 – January 4, 1915), Prussian painter, was born at Frankfurt (Oder), on May 9, 1843. He began painting in 1857 as a student painter, then studied painting at the Berlin Academy (Berliner Akademie der Künste). He pursued his studies at Carlsruhe, where he studied under Johann Wilhelm Schirmer, Ludwig Des Coudres and Adolf Schrödter. After having won a travelling scholarship upon the exhibition of his early works, he visited Paris in 1867, and afterwards Italy, where he remained for some time. On his return, he received several state commissions.

On the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 he was sent with the staff of the third corps d'armee, and stayed in France until the close of the campaign in 1871. In that year, he married Malwine Schroedter, Adolph Schroedter's daughter. In 1873 he was appointed professor at the Berlin Academy. His career reached its peak when he became, in 1875, director of the Academy in Berlin (Königliche Hochschule der bildenden Künste). After 1888, while in Whilhelm II's court, von Werner tutored the Kaiser to become a painter. In 1909, he succeeded Hugo von Tschudi in to directing the Nationalgalerie in Berlin. He died in 1915 and was interred at the Alten Zwölf-Apostel-Kirchhof à Berlin-Schöneberg.

Among his more important works must be named The Capitulation of Sedan, Proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles, Moltke before Paris, Moltke at Versailles, The Meeting of Bismarck and Napoleon III, Christ and the Tribute Money, William I visiting the Tombs, The Congress of Berlin, and some decorations executed in mosaic for the Triumphal Arch at Berlin. Von Werner's work is chiefly interesting for the historic value of his pictures of the events of the Franco-Prussian War.