Talk:Paula Modersohn-Becker

Editing

Having come across this I improved the English of the original. Andrewshobley 13:26, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm curious about the interpretation given the end of her life.

My sense has been, from a not-completely-rigorous but-also-not-superficial study a few years ago, that it was possible that M-B did not "want to be/become a mother," but in fact might have been impregnated during Otto's last visit to Paris before she returned to Worpswede, possibly as a way of forcing her return.

From what her work and her growth in Paris suggested, it seemed to me more as if she had been on the verge of leaving the Ww community and her marriage and staying in France.

I agree with issue above. I've read the passages about this issue with Otto impregnating her in Paris as a way to get her to come back with him to Worpswede. I read it both in the English version of her journal/letters and the 1921 German edition (Briefe und Tagebuchblätter von Paula Modersohn-Becker ed. S.D. Gallwitz, 1921). The German editions were edited to slant PMB's life to fit into the Cult of Motherhood promoted by Germany after WWI to bring up the birthrate. I also take note of the no citation about their marriage being unconsummated. This should be deleted, and it is an unsubstantiated claim. I think both these points should be removed. Digitaldoyenne (talk) 01:17, 6 March 2019 (UTC)

If there are documents to the contrary, then I'll stand corrected but the trajectory of her productivity and acceptance could have as easily been a threat to OM, whose work was not as strong or innovative, and the sense I got was that he undermined her growing success by trying to re-domesticate her (also, I believe her interactions with others, like Rilke, didn't please him too much.)

Is there a definitive biography of her? When I was doing a study of four female painters for a slide talk a bit ago, what I could find on her had to be pieced together from articles and short references in survey texts. I'd be glad to be pointed towards further sources for study. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.34.104.12 (talk) 16:55, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

This is from the German article. Check it out: see different language links under the panels on the left of the article page. Beyond that, I can't help. There is a bibliography. You are welcome to edit the article, preferably referencing statements. See WP:REFB. Ty 21:55, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

New self-portrait

I've uploaded a new 1906 self-portrait of Modersohn-Becker (right). Feel free to use if useful. Dcoetzee 16:14, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

The article says she was 31 when she died, but her dates indicate that she was 30. - Phil — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:6560:A40:8CFD:1881:DFA3:7FB6 (talk) 21:12, 1 May 2018 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion:

• 1896 Self-Portrait Semi-nude with Amber Necklace photo study.jpg

You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 02:21, 11 April 2019 (UTC)

Date of death

There's a lot of confusion about her date of death.

• Lede: 20 Nov
• Infobox: 30 Nov
• Text: 21 Nov

In French WP they seem similarly unsure:

• Lede: 21 Nov
• Infobox: 20 or 30 Nov
• Text: 20 Nov

German WP says 20 Nov unequivocally, so I'm inclined to accept that. Is there an unimpeachable source anywhere? -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 23:29, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

Galleries

Working through the article, I reorganized the galleries by basic category to give a better sense of (what I think is) the power of Modersohn-Becker's work. Thoughts in improvement? Sicklemoon (talk) 22:48, 28 May 2022 (UTC)

Featured picture scheduled for POTD

Hello! This is to let editors know that File:Paula Moderson-Becker - Selbstbildnis am 6 Hochzeitstag (1906).jpg, a featured picture used in this article, has been selected as the English Wikipedia's picture of the day (POTD) for February 8, 2026. A preview of the POTD is displayed below and can be edited at Template:POTD/2026-02-08. For the greater benefit of readers, any potential improvements or maintenance that could benefit the quality of this article should be done before its scheduled appearance on the Main Page. If you have any concerns, please place a message at Wikipedia talk:Picture of the day. Thank you!  — Amakuru (talk)  — Amakuru (talk) 13:11, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Paula Modersohn-Becker (8 February 1876–1907) was a pioneering German painter who made significant contributions to the development of modern art in the early 20th century. Born in Dresden, she displayed artistic talent from an early age and went on to receive formal training at the Worpswede artists' colony in northern Germany.

Modersohn-Becker is celebrated for her role in the emergence of Expressionism and her innovative approach to portraiture and self-portraiture. Her works often depict introspective and contemplative subjects, notably emphasizing the portrayal of women, children, and rural life. This Self-Portrait at 6th Wedding Anniversary was painted in 1906 and is today at the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum in Bremen.

Painting credit: Paula Modersohn-Becker; Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum

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