In 1908, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote "Requiem for a Friend" in memory of Paula Modersohn-Becker, the German painter who had profoundly affected him, personally and artistically, and who had died a year earlier. Although one of the great modern painters, Modersohn-Becker is today remembered primarily as she is portrayed in Rilke's poem. In Dear Friend, Eric Torgersen looks at the relationship of these two great artists whose often-strained friendship was extraordinarily productive for both and offers an introduction to the life and work of Modersohn-Becker.

Torgersen begins by tracing the path that leads the two young people to the artist's colony at Worpswede in 1900, where Rilke meets with and becomes fascinated by Paula Becker. He recounts Rilke's dismay upon learning Becker is already engaged to the painter Otto Modersohn; Rilke's sudden marriage to Modersohn-Becker's dearest friend, the sculptor Clara Westhoff; and Modersohn-Becker's pain and anger at the effect this marriage has on her friend and on their friendship. The book then follows Rilke and Modersohn-Becker through their years of estrangement and conflict over the competing claims of art and life.

Included in the book are reproductions and photos as well as Torgersen's new translations of "Requiem for a Friend" and of the love poems Rilke wrote for Becker shortly after they met. Torgersen discusses Modersohn-Becker's major paintings, including her unfinished portrait of Rilke. He quotes from the letters and journals of both artists and translates many of Rilke's works into English for the first time. Finally, Torgersen addresses the question of whether the two were lovers and offers new insights into the creation of"Requiem for a Friend".