The proclamation of the German Empire at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles became the defining subject of Anton von Werner’s career. Commissioned to document this pivotal event in January 1871, he established himself as a central figure in the documentation of the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent unification of the German Empire through a distinct Realist style.
Early Education and Influences
Born in 1843 in Frankfurt (Oder), Werner initially pursued an apprenticeship in decorative painting in 1857. His formal training began in 1860 at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin, followed by studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe. During this period, he studied under Johann Wilhelm Schirmer, Ludwig des Coudres, Adolf Schroedter, and Karl Friedrich Lessing. Experiences in Paris during 1865 and 1867 exposed him to the historical works of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Eugène Delacroix, and Ernest Meissonier, while a subsequent stay in Rome introduced him to Anselm Feuerbach.
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In October 1870, Werner joined the staff of the 3rd Corps d'Armée under Prince Frederick William of Prussia. This proximity to military leadership provided the foundation for his most prominent historical works, including The Capitulation of Sedan and the depiction of the meeting between Otto von Bismarck and Napoleon III. His access to the halls of power led to a long-standing association with the German imperial family, eventually gaining the favor of Emperors William I, Frederick III, and Wilhelm II.
Academic Leadership and Late Career
Werner transitioned into administrative roles within the German art establishment, accepting a professorship at the Berlin Academy in 1873. By 1875, he took on the role of director at the institution, later known as the Berlin University of the Arts. Beyond his administrative duties, he directed the Nationalgalerie in Berlin starting in 1909. Throughout his career, he maintained professional memberships in the Association of Berlin Artists and the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts.
Public Commissions and Honors
Beyond canvas painting, Werner contributed to Berlin's urban landscape through the design of a large velarium for the triumphant arrival of German troops, which later served as a cartoon for stained glass mosaics in the portico of the Victory Column. His contributions to the arts were recognized with the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art in 1887 and the Order of the Red Eagle 1st Class. He died in Berlin in 1915 and was buried at the Alter Friedhof der Zwölf-Apostel-Gemeinde.
Fast facts
- Born: 1843, Frankfurt (Oder)
- Died: 1915, Berlin
- Field: History painting
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia
- Education: Prussian Academy of Arts
- Notable role: Director, Berlin Academy (1875)
- Burial site: Alter Friedhof der Zwölf-Apostel-Gemeinde
Questions readers ask
Which major conflict defined his work?
He is best known for his documentation of the Franco-Prussian War.
Did he work for the German government?
Yes, he received numerous state commissions and served as the director of the Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
Achievements
- Order of the Red Eagle 1st Class
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