Self portrait written in 1897. This is an early work of an aspiring artist who settled in Worpswede – the famous colony of artists, where young German painters, abandoning traditional manners, were looking for their own ways.
Paula Moderzon-Becker abandoned the sentimental and idealistic representations of artists Worpswede and began to write portraits, self-portraits, scenes depicting the mother and child. She used thick paint and muted tones, her work combines tenderness and amazing simplicity.
There seems to be no people at all in Worpswede and Bremen who can appreciate her work. The works of Paula, exhibited here in 1899, along with the works of other students of Mackensen, were met with lavish criticism and a hail of ridicule. Too free, expressive and “flying” manner of Becker, her peculiar, sometimes paradoxical approach to composition, lack of fear of bright, saturated colors and their unexpected combinations, as well as the “mundane” and “plain” plots of her paintings – all this together taken in no way corresponded to the ideas of conservative provincials about “true works of art.”
The recognized leader of the Bremen artists, Arthur Fitger, and after him, the majority of journalists saw her as an amateur artist of average abilities, who was also at the initial stage of apprenticeship. They unanimously condemned the artist for her arrogance, forcing her to put evidence of her incompetence on public display.
Etchings, drawings, paintings of Paula of this period are distinguished by a special emotionality. These small prints have the quality of monumentality inherent in her paintings.
The persistence with which Paula perceived such kind of reviews is admirable and gives her an outstanding author – a man who, following his talent, is so sure of what he does that does not look around and does not expect encouragement.
This is especially noticeable in her brilliant self-portrait. She is completely immersed in herself and the gentle color scheme conveys her inspired quest. A dreamy, detached look and an understanding of his purpose – this is the main thing in the plot of the portrait. Who remembers the names of her critics? She eclipsed them all with her talent, entered the history of painting as an outstanding artist who did not have time to realize herself… She lived only 31 years…
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