Bremen-Mitte in Mitte, Germany — Central Europe
Paula Becker-Modersohn Haus
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Paula Becker-Modersohn House
| — | Böttcherstraße | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 19, 2025
1. Paula Becker-Modersohn Haus / Paula Becker-Modersohn House Marker
Erbaut 1926-27 von Bernhard Hoetger als Ausstellungshaus mit Verkaufsraum sowie kunsthandwerklichen Werkstätten im Handwerkerhof. Der Künstlerin Paula Modersohn-Becker gewidmet, ist es weltweit das erste Museum für eine Malerin. In seinen organischen Formen gleicht der Bau einer begehbaren Skulptur. 1944 bis auf die Umfassungsmauern zerstört und bis 1954 teilweise verändert wiederaufgebaut.
Built in 1926/27 by Bernhard Hoetger as an exhibition building with a salesroom and craft shops in the craft courtyard. The building is dedicated to the artist Paula Modersohn-Becker and was the first museum in the world to celebrate the works of a female painter. With its organic shapes, the building resembles a sculpture that can be entered. The building was destroyed, apart from the perimeter walls, in 1944 and rebuilt with some changes until 1954.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1926.
Location.
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Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Haus der Sieben Faulen / House of the Seven Lazy Brothers (a few steps from this marker); Haus St. Petrus / St Petrus House (within shouting distance of this marker); Spitzen Gebel / “Pointed Gable” (within shouting distance of this marker); Roselius-Haus / Roselius House (within shouting distance of this marker); Die Balge / The Balge (within shouting distance of this marker); Die Gluckhenne / The Broody Hen (within shouting distance of this marker); Condor Rekordflug / Condor Record Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Haus des Glockenspiels / Glockenspiel House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bremen.
Also see . . .
1. Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum (Wikipedia). History:
Construction of the museum was commissioned by the businessman and art patron Ludwig Roselius, who assigned the sculptor, craftsman and architect Bernhard Hoetger to design it. Hoetger had become acquainted with Modersohn-Becker while in Paris, and created a unique Brick Expressionist(Submitted on January 21, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)building in her memory. Opened in 1927, the museum now counts as one of the key works of expressionist architecture in Germany. The collection features works covering the artist's entire career, from the early pictures of her training years in Berlin to the paintings she created in Paris in 1906-07, in which she most fully realised her artistic vision.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 19, 20252. Paula Becker-Modersohn House - museum entrance and markerLooking south on Böttcherstraße
In 1935 local Nazis attacked the art and architecture of the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. Ludwig Roselius ignored this but Hitler denounced the art at the September 1936 Nuremberg NSDAP rally and Roselius contemplated suicide. Barbara Goette intervened on Roselius' behalf and Hitler declared the Böttcherstrasse as a monument of 'degenerate art'; the offensive works, including the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum would not have to be demolished. In exchange Ludwig Roselius pumped capital into Focke-Wulf aircraft company.
2. Paula Modersohn-Becker (Wikipedia). Overview:
Paula Modersohn-Becker (8 February 1876 – 20 November 1907) was a German Expressionist painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is noted for the many self-portraits, including nudes. She is considered one of the most important representatives of early expressionism, producing(Submitted on January 21, 2026.)more than 700 paintings and over 1000 drawings during her active painting life. She is recognized both as the first known woman painter to paint nude self-portraits, and the first woman to have a museum devoted exclusively to her art (the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum, founded 1927). Additionally, she is believed to be the first woman artist to depict herself both pregnant and nude and pregnant. Her career was cut short when she died from postpartum pulmonary embolism at the age of 31.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 19, 20253. Foyer, as seen from the museum entrance
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 19, 2025
4. Paula Becker-Modersohn House - north side
The north side of the Paula Beck-Modersohn House (right) faces Hinter dem Schütting (street/alley). Beneath the gold relief is the portal into Böttcherstraße. Also visible is the building’s dedication plaque (see next photo).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 19, 2025
5. Paula Becker-Modersohn House dedication plaque
2.Juni 1926 Ludwig Roselius
Paula Becker-Modersohn (courtesy Kunsthalle Bremen via Wikimedia Commons), circa 1905
6. Self-portrait with blue irises
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 33 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
