The innovative, highly original work of Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) helped pave the way for modern art in Europe. In recognition of her achievements the first museum in the world devoted to the work of a woman artist, the Paula-Modersohn-Becker-Museum, was founded at Bremen.
Designed as an introduction to the life and work of an artist whose output is not widely known elsewhere, the book aims to set her in her time and place for readers unfamiliar with the art and culture of late nineteenth-century Germany. Paula trained in Berlin and at the rural artists' colony of Worpswede, near Bremen, marrying her fellow artist Otto Modersohn in 1901. She continued to live at Worpswede, but in the remaining years of her short life insisted on spending time in Paris, in order to experience the work of other important European artists and sculptors. Forming a close intellectual friendship with the great lyric poet Rainer Maria Rilke, she particularly admired Cézanne, Rodin and Gauguin. Her persuasive and distinctive use of form and colour mean that she is now thought of as an early Expressionist.
Averil King, who lives in Yorkshire, has an especial interest in the art of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her previously published books are Isaak Levitan: Lyrical Landscape, 2nd revised edition 2006 and Newlyn Flowers: The Floral Art of Dod Procter, 2005 (both Philip Wilson Publishers). She is a contributor to Apollo Magazine, Art Newspaper and other fine art journals.
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