Clara Rilke-Westhoff Paula Modersohn-Becker Portrait Clara Rilke-Westhoff Clara Westhoff was borne on September 21, 1878 in Bremen. At age of 17, she attended a private art school in Munich, and in 1898 she became scupture student with Fritz Mackensen in Worpswede, in 1899 with Max Klinger and Carl Seffner in Leipzig, in 1900 with Rodin in Paris. In 1901 she got married to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. 1919 she moved with her daughter Ruth to Fischerhude, where she passed away on March 9, 1954. She was a pioneer of Feminine Sculpture in Germany and also wife of a famous poet. In her work decisive characteristic traits are emphasized timelessly, conventional time binded are shadowy negated.