Pictures of

Paula Modersohn-Becker

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Paula Modersohn-Becker was born on February 8, 1876, in Dresden, Germany. She grew up in a wealthy family and showed a great interest in art from an early age. At the age of 16, she began her training at the Ladies' Academy of the Association of Berlin Women Artists, where she further developed her drawing skills.

In 1898, Paula Modersohn-Becker moved to Worpswede, a small village near Bremen that was a popular meeting place for artists at the time. There she became part of an artists' colony that included her later husband, the painter Otto Modersohn. This time in Worpswede had a lasting influence on her artistic work.

Paula Modersohn-Becker broke with the conventional ideals of beauty of her time and developed her own style, which was influenced by French modernism. She painted mainly portraits, self-portraits, nudes and images of rural life. Her focus was on depicting the inner emotions and authenticity of her models. Her works were often perceived as expressive, but also provocative.

In 1900, Paula Modersohn-Becker made her first trip to Paris, where she became acquainted with the works of important artists such as Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso. These experiences further influenced her painting and helped her to develop her own style. After her return to Worpswede, she concentrated more on her artistic career.

In 1901, Paula Modersohn-Becker married Otto Modersohn, who was already divorced by this time. Although her marriage was marked by many conflicts, Otto Modersohn supported her artistic development and enabled her to travel regularly to Paris. In the years that followed, she made several study trips to France to continue to be inspired by the art scene there.

Paula Modersohn-Becker created an impressive body of work in her short career. She painted over 700 paintings, including numerous self-portraits that show her particular interest in depicting female identity and motherhood. She was a pioneer of modern art and is now considered one of the most important German Expressionists.

Unfortunately, Paula Modersohn-Becker's life ended tragically early. On November 20, 1907, at the age of only 31, she died of an embolism a few weeks after the birth of her daughter Mathilde. Although she received little recognition during her lifetime, her work was increasingly appreciated after her death and influenced generations of artists.

Paula Modersohn-Becker's contribution to art history lies in her radical rejection of traditional conventions and her search for new forms of representation. Her paintings are characterized by an extraordinary intensity and honesty and have left a lasting impact on modern art. She is considered one of the most important artists of the early 20th century, and her work is exhibited in prestigious museums and galleries around the world.