Girl with Stork 1907

Paula Modersohn-Becker painted *Girl with Stork* in the early 1900s. It presents a complex take on childhood and fertility. At the time Modersohn-Becker was painting, Germany was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. As a woman artist, she challenged traditional gender roles and expectations through her art. The girl’s nudity and the presence of the stork – a symbol of birth – are striking. She's adorned with a pearl headband and bracelets, yet she kneels on what looks like a sheepskin with fruit nearby, blending innocence with an earthy sensuality. Modersohn-Becker once said, “I know that I have not lived in vain.” Looking at this canvas, we see her challenging the traditional, often idealized representations of women and children. Instead, she presents a vision of a young girl on the cusp of womanhood, a figure both vulnerable and powerful. It's a deeply personal, yet universally resonant image, inviting us to consider the complexities of identity, sexuality, and the female experience.