Thérèse Schwartze was the daughter of the portrait painter J.G. Schwartze, from whom she received her first lessons. Afterwards she attended the Academy in Munich. There she copied the work of Rubens and Velázquez, which contributed significantly to her often praised virtuoso style of painting and her rich palette. A successful portrait of Queen Emma with Princess Wilhelmina in 1881 earned her many portrait commissions from the well-to-do position. She also painted figure pieces and some still lifes.