Marie Schnür

She was one of five daughters born to a wealthy family from Coburg, on a large estate, the garden house of which is still preserved as a historical monument.

[1] She attended the art school operated by the "Verein der Berliner Künstlerinnen" (Association of Women Artists), where her primary instructor was the sculptor Conrad Fehr.

Her career advanced through her friendship with the artist, Gertraud Rostosky [de] and her participation in an art group known as "Die Scholle".

[citation needed] Earlier that year, Schnür had secretly given birth to a son (Klaus) in Paris; probably from a relationship with the artist Angelo Jank, although some sources point to August Gallinger [de], a medical student who would later become known for his exposé of crimes committed against German POWs during World War I.

[2] At first, she was forced to leave Klaus with her parents in Swinemünde, but accepted an offer from Marc to enter into a marriage of convenience so she could gain custody.