Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 17 hours ago
German poet Rainer Maria Rilke played an important role in Paula Modersohn-Becker’s artistic development and self-realization. Their lively correspondence illuminates Modersohn-Becker’s personal and artistic preoccupations, highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman artist in the early 20th century. Rilke’s poem, "Requiem for a Friend," which laments Modersohn-Becker’s early death, is a moving tribute to the deep impact of their friendship.
Hear from independent curator and writer Jill Lloyd for an exploration of their sometimes volatile but profoundly meaningful relationship.
German poet Rainer Maria Rilke played an important role in Paula Modersohn-Becker’s artistic development and self-realization. Their lively correspondence illuminates Modersohn-Becker’s personal and artistic preoccupations, highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman artist in the early 20th century. Rilke’s poem, "Requiem for a Friend," which laments Modersohn-Becker’s early death, is a moving tribute to the deep impact of their friendship.
Hear from independent curator and writer Jill Lloyd for an exploration of their sometimes volatile but profoundly meaningful relationship.
