The Story of My Life — Volume 02

Growing up in the vibrant streets of Berlin, the young narrator spent countless afternoons in the studios of celebrated sculptors. A kindly neighbor, the sculptor Drake, invited him and his sister into his workshop, handing them clay and explaining how raw stone became graceful form. The narrator watched marble emerge from plaster, absorbed the patient explanations, and felt the spark of artistic curiosity. Later visits to the lively studio of Professor Streichenberg added music and laughter, contrasting the solemn focus of Drake’s practice.

These early encounters with artists such as Drake, Streichenberg, and the charismatic composer‑turned‑sculptor Peter Cornelius left an indelible impression. The narrator recalls the intense, unforgettable eyes of Cornelius and the gentle encouragement he received while modeling for the master. Even schoolmates like the Meyerheim brothers and the Begas family peppered his memories with sketches and portraits that deepened his love for visual culture. The memoir captures how these formative moments shaped his lifelong devotion to art and later inspired the vivid characters he would create in his writings.