Paula Modersohn-Becker

Considered one of the most important representatives of early German Expressionism, painter Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876–1907) left behind an oeuvre of still-life paintings, landscape paintings, portraits and self-portraits in a characteristic expressionist style upon her premature death at the age of 41. Famous for her friendship with poet Rainer Maria Rilke and for having influenced Picasso, Modersohn-Becker is also recognized as a pioneer for female artistic representation of the female body, and is often cited as the first woman to paint full-length nude self-portraits. This volume, published on the occasion of Louisiana's retrospective exhibition, includes essays by experts focusing on different aspects of the artist and her oeuvre, as well as contributions from contemporary artists Rineke Dijkstra, Chantal Joffe and Daniel Richter. With more than 100 images, the book is an accessible introduction to this inaugural Expressionist about whom little has been published outside of Germany.