The actress Johanna Wattier-Ziesenis, full face in lace-bordered white dress with sprigged sleeves, red cashmere stole draped around her shoulders, coral necklace and earrings; seated in a wooden chair, column background

Johanna Cornelia Wattier (1762-1827), wife of the architect Ziesenis, was one of the most celebrated Dutch actresses of the 19th century. She started her career at the age of 17 in Amsterdam, in 1780. She became so famous for her interpretation of Lady Macbeth that in 1806, Hortense de Beauharnais, then Queen of Holland, asked for a private performance together with Talma and Mademoiselle Duchesnois. Johanna Wattier was rewarded with precious jewellery. When, in 1811 she played Phaedra, in Dutch, in the presence of Emperor Napoleon and Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon proclaimed that she was the greatest actress of Europe - despite the fact that he did not understand one word of Dutch. He granted her an annuity of 2,000 francs.
A copy after the present miniature by Autissier's pupil Dominicus Du Caju was sold in these rooms, 10 July 1991, lot 54.