Girl Braiding Her Hair by Albert Anker, Jeune fille tressant ses cheveux (1887). Albrecht Samuel Anker (April 1, 1831 – July 16, 1910) was a Swiss painter and illustrator who is regarded as the "national painter" of Switzerland because of his enduringly popular depictions of 19th-century Swiss village life. His works captured the everyday life of people in rural communities. Anker painted many scenes in the school setting. He was convinced of the importance of education for all (made compulsory in Switzerland in 1874). So this young girl braids her hair well, but her eyes are fixed on an open book, which she has learned to read!