Born in Amsterdam in 1851, Thérèse Schwartze was the daughter of the painter Johan Georg Schwartze. She received her initial artistic training from her father before continuing her studies in Düsseldorf and later at the Académie Julian in Paris, where she refined her portraiture technique.

Schwartze specialized in portrait painting, often depicting members of the Dutch elite and royal family. Her work is characterized by a sophisticated use of light and shadow, reflecting the influence of both traditional Dutch masters and contemporary European portraiture styles of her era.

Recent institutional interest, such as the 2025 'Blue Dots' exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, has prompted a reexamination of her work within the context of historical art categorization. Her contributions remain a subject of study regarding the legacy of Dutch portraiture and the shifting valuation of historical collections.