Robert Schumann described his Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 11, to his beloved Clara Wieck as an expression of his heart. At that time, Clara had already achieved European acclaim as a pianist, while he was still struggling to establish himself as a composer. Their first meeting took place when Robert was still a student of Clara's father and she was still a child. The two grew closer when Clara turned 16, and Robert affectionately called her his "Chiara" or "Zilia." In his work "Carnaval," Op. 9, he even dedicated a piece to her entitled "Chiarina."
Friedrich Wieck vehemently disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Robert. He attempted to separate the lovers by sending Clara on numerous concert tours and monitoring her almost constantly. He forbade any correspondence between them. Despite these obstacles, Clara and Robert became secretly engaged in August 1837. In September of the same year, Robert formally asked for Clara's hand in marriage in a letter, which Wieck refused.
The love between Clara and Robert blossomed into a unique artistic relationship despite all the resistance. Although Wieck may even have taken away his daughter's ink to prevent her from writing letters, the lovers repeatedly managed to meet in secret. Their relationship was also supported by friendly families, such as the Serres, with whom Clara stayed for a time. The early years of their future marriage were a period of great creative energy for Robert, during which some of his finest works were created.