Seated Old Woman

14 February 1905

A third trip to Paris: with her sister Herma, to Denis

On her return in 1903 Paula declared at once that she wanted to go back to Paris, but Otto, who considered himself a German artist and rejected French art, did not understand. On 14 February 1905 she nevertheless leaves for Paris with her sister Herma, studies drawing in private academies, meets artists of the Nabis circle, among them Maurice Denis, and comes to the conclusion that she has already developed her own style.

1906

Bernhard Hoetger: a first real appreciation

Impressed by a sculpture at the Salon des Indépendants, Paula meets the sculptor Bernhard Hoetger; learning by chance that she paints, he insists on seeing her pictures and is delighted. For an artist supported in her work only by her husband and Rilke, such an appraisal means a great deal, and she throws herself into painting with renewed energy.

23 February 1906

Leaving Otto Modersohn

On 23 February 1906 Paula leaves Worpswede and writes in her diary that she has left Otto Modersohn. It comes as a surprise to him: in letters he begs her to return, she asks him to get used to the idea that their paths have diverged, and her family accuses her of selfishness; coming to Paris for a week in June, Otto achieves nothing and goes on supporting his wife financially.

3 September 1906

Asking for a divorce, then withdrawing

On 3 September 1906 Paula tells her husband that she wants a divorce and asks him one last time for 500 marks so that she can support herself in future; a few days later she gives up the idea, persuaded by Bernhard Hoetger, who explains that she could hardly support herself.

20 November 1907

Death after childbirth; her last words, “What a pity”

After the delivery on 2 November Paula complained of pain in her legs and was advised to remain in bed; on 20 November the physician returned and advised her to rise, she walked a few steps, sat down, called for the infant to be placed in her arms, complained of leg pain and died, saying only “What a pity”. The cause of death was a postpartum pulmonary embolism, likely from deep venous thrombosis, a complication fairly common after long bed rest.

20. november 1907

Died