Johanna Cornelia Wattier (Rotterdam, 13 April 1762 - Voorburg, 23
April 1827) was an 18th-century actress from the Northern Netherlands,
known for her performances in Amsterdam. She made her debut at 15 in
1778 in Rotterdam and in 1780 at the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam. After
a few years she became the latter's main actress.She was the daughter
of the dancing teacher Jean Baptiste Wattier and Anna Cornelia de
Bourghelles. She married the architect and sculptor Bartholomeus
Wilhelmus Henricus Ziesenis (1762-1820) in 1801, but continued to act,
even after their son was born. She had debuted already as a child on
the stage of Rotterdam with her siblings. In 1780, she was active in
Amsterdam. She debuted there as Margaretha in the tragedy by William
Havre Korn (1753? -1826) Aleid van Poelgeest. She became known as a
great tragedienne, and in 1784 she became the premier actress of
Amsterdam. She also toured. Wattier was the student of Marten Corver
and is remembered as an example of the new natural way of acting,
which became fashionable during her time at the stage. She was
described as a natural talent, expressive and with s beautiful voice.
In 1800, she was the highest-paid actor in the Netherlands. In 1806,
Louis Bonaparte invited her to perform in Paris. In 1808 her yearly
salary was f 4000, making her the best-paid actress of her times. When
Napoleon himself visited Amsterdam in 1811, she performed for him,
which impressed him so much he gave her a pension of F 2000. She
retired from the stage for health reasons in 1815. She accompanied her
husband to the Hague, where he was architect for renovations for the
Noordeinde Palace.Her portrait was painted by many leading artists of
her day, and many poets wrote poems in her honor. When she died, the
play running at the Rotterdam theatre was cancelled the day of her
funeral.
April 1827) was an 18th-century actress from the Northern Netherlands,
known for her performances in Amsterdam. She made her debut at 15 in
1778 in Rotterdam and in 1780 at the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam. After
a few years she became the latter's main actress.She was the daughter
of the dancing teacher Jean Baptiste Wattier and Anna Cornelia de
Bourghelles. She married the architect and sculptor Bartholomeus
Wilhelmus Henricus Ziesenis (1762-1820) in 1801, but continued to act,
even after their son was born. She had debuted already as a child on
the stage of Rotterdam with her siblings. In 1780, she was active in
Amsterdam. She debuted there as Margaretha in the tragedy by William
Havre Korn (1753? -1826) Aleid van Poelgeest. She became known as a
great tragedienne, and in 1784 she became the premier actress of
Amsterdam. She also toured. Wattier was the student of Marten Corver
and is remembered as an example of the new natural way of acting,
which became fashionable during her time at the stage. She was
described as a natural talent, expressive and with s beautiful voice.
In 1800, she was the highest-paid actor in the Netherlands. In 1806,
Louis Bonaparte invited her to perform in Paris. In 1808 her yearly
salary was f 4000, making her the best-paid actress of her times. When
Napoleon himself visited Amsterdam in 1811, she performed for him,
which impressed him so much he gave her a pension of F 2000. She
retired from the stage for health reasons in 1815. She accompanied her
husband to the Hague, where he was architect for renovations for the
Noordeinde Palace.Her portrait was painted by many leading artists of
her day, and many poets wrote poems in her honor. When she died, the
play running at the Rotterdam theatre was cancelled the day of her
funeral.
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