Fuseli possessed a painting in oil done by Anna Wasser at the age of thirteen. He gave her praise for correctness of outline, and for spirit of coloring. She appears to have excelled most in pastoral and rural pieces, which it was her delight to paint. Her compositions were marked by great ingenuity, and were finished with exquisite delicacy. Her literary accomplishments procured her the friendship of the most eminent scholars of her day in Germany; such as Werner, Meyer, Hubert, Steller, etc., and she corresponded with many celebrated persons. Among her female friends was Clara Eimart, already mentioned among German artists. Her manners were gentle and dignified, and her character was pure and blameless. To filial obedience she would at any time sacrifice her own inclinations; indeed she often carried her devotion to excess. The portrait given of her shows delicate and sharply defined features. The hair is worn in Grecian style, with ringlets at the side, and braids falling on her neck. She appears surrounded with flowers, with baskets of fruit beside her. Maria Theresa van Thielen, and her two sisters, the daughters of an artist of noble family, were instructed by him in flower-painting, the first excelling also in portraits. CHAPTER X. THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. General Expansion and Extension of Art-culture.--More Scope given to the Tendencies originated in preceding Age.--Reminiscences of past Glories of Art active during the first half of the Century.--The Flemish and Italian Schools in vogue.--Eclecticism.--Influences of the French School mingled with those of the great Masters.--The Rococo Style.--The Aggregate of Woman’s Labor greater than ever before.--Not accompanied by greater Depth.--Less Individuality discernible.--The greatest artistic Activity among Women in Germany.--In France next.--In Italy next.--In other Countries less.--Rapid Growth of Art in Berlin.--In Dresden.--Scholarship and literary Position of Women during the first half of the Century.--Poets and their Inspirations.--Princesses the Patrons of Letters.--Nothing new or striking in Art.--A Revolution in the latter half of the Century.--Instruction in Art a Branch of Education.--Dilettanti of high Rank.--Female Pupils of Painters of Note.--Mengs and Carstens.--Carstens the Founder of modern German Art.--His Style not adapted to female Talent.--A lovely Form standing between him and Mengs.--A female Stamp-cutter.--An Artist in Wax-work.--In Stucco-work.--In cutting precious Stones.--Barbara Preisler.--Other female Artists.--Fashionable Taste in Painting.--Marianna Hayd.--Miniaturists.--Anna Maria Mengs.--Her Works.--Miniature and Pastel-painting.--Flowers and Landscapes a Passion.--Imitators of Rachel Ruysch and Madame Merian.--Celebrities in Flower-painting.--Copper-engraving. Lady Artists of high Rank.--Other Devotees to Art.