Anna Maria Barbara Abesch

Anna Maria Barbara Abesch (23 March 1706 – 15 February 1773) was a Swiss reverse-glass painter active in Sursee, Switzerland. She exerted a strong stylistic influence. About 120 dated works, 40 undated works, and 100 attributed works survive; they are mainly biblical and mythological in subject, and also include portraits. She probably learned drawing and reverse-glass painting from her father, Johann Peter Abesch. She was unmarried and is recorded as a member of the Sursee Georg Brotherhood in 1747 and the St. Joseph Brotherhood in 1750.

Works About 120 dated works, 40 undated works, and 100 attributed works survive.

Technique Abesch usually worked in reverse order of the paint layers, applying delicate colours in very thin layers, often by dabbing, so that the underlying colours could show through. Shadow areas were generally left unpainted and achieved through the effect of a soot-darkened backing sheet, while gold highlights were used only occasionally.