Self Portrait With Two Flowers
Paula Modernsohn-Becker was one of the first artists to depict a visible pregnancy in art, although it is common today, it was unseen before the 20th century. Paula’s work has went on to encourage many female artists throughout many generations.
Modernism can be characterized as putting an end to the traditional styles and techniques, and becoming more focused on personal expression by depicting art in an abstract way. During the time when the Self Portrait With Two Flowers was created, many historical moments played a pivotal role in forming this piece. Around this time, the Industrial Revolution sparked and The Women’s Right Movement was in motion. Both these historical events shaped artists like Paula to explore new themes in self discovery. Paula’s choice to paint herself pregnant consequently challenged her audience to observe non-traditional gender roles, and was a statement to the Women’s Rights Movement. In The Self Portrait With Two Flowers, I believe that Paula used the colors she did to represent a state of depression many women fall into during pregnancy. (The art Story). The artistic choice to hold up two flowers while simultaneously holding her pregnant stomach is a juxtaposition to the “darkness” of her emotions. In this case, the flowers represent fertility, femininity, life, and growth. Additionally, two flowers shown in the painting both being different colors, one being darker than the other, we can perceive the darker flower as her-dark and lived through life, while the lighter one represents her unborn child, pure and untouched. Sadly by the time this was finished Paula passed away at 31 due to childbirth.
I was originally drawn to this piece because of Paula’s face. It made me feel as though I was looking at a portrait of myself. I thought that this piece artistically captured the essence of one of my biggest insecurities being my “big”or “ethnic” nose. Before knowing the meaning of this portrait I saw a face I see everyday. As I looked at her face for longer I thought of how beautiful she was, seeing the beauty in Paula made me reflect on myself and how if I can think someone is as beautiful as Paula then why can I not think the same of myself. As I read more and researched Paula’s life I learned of the independent life she lived, despite being married or so what you would call her relationship with her husband. I myself relate to many aspects of Paula’s life as I find comfort and happiness in knowing that I myself enjoy the independent lifestyle that she lived, away from the materialistic things that would normally run our lives.
A question I have regarding this artwork is how the self-portrait compares to other modernist artists of her time? I would also like to ask about who she was mostly influenced by as this way of artistic work was fairly new, and how she became inspired to create such historical and influential pieces of work.
Citations
Radycki, Diane. Paula Modersohn-Becker: Self-Portrait with Two Flowers. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2019. https://www.artbook.com/9781633450745.html
“The Art Story Foundation. ‘Paula Modersohn-Becker: Legacy.’ The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/modersohn-becker-paula/#legacy.
I love this self-portrait and really appreciate all the important context and analysis you’ve provided to help us understand it more fully. Knowing that this pregnancy ended in death makes this painting almost unbearably sad for me. But your post reminds us that, up until quite recently, pregnancy was considered to be something unsightly that ought to be hidden and not discussed. There is something quite brave and, as you say, beautiful in imagining Modersohn-Becker’s steady gaze in the mirror as she worked on this!