Georgine Schwartze

While the other members of the family specialised in painting, Georgine Schwartze chose to study as a sculptor. This was a striking decision, given that few women practiced sculpture in her time. After completing her studies she focused on sculpting portraits, regularly working on commission. She made portraits of professors, of children from wealthy families and even of the recently sworn-in Queen of the Netherlands, Wilhelmina. Schwartze was a well-known figure in Amsterdam’s artistic circles. As well as producing her own work she taught drawing and sculpting, organised exhibitions and was a member of many commissions, jury panels and committees.