Clara Schumann (1819-1896) wrote this work in 1853, creating seven variations on her husband's theme from his Bunte Blatter, Op. 99, No. 4 (Albumblatter) for piano. She presented the piece to Robert Schumann on his 43rd birthday in 1853, the year before his crippling mental breakdown, making this the final birthday that he would spend with his family. It is also among the last works that Clara Schumann composed for the piano. Johannes Brahms was inspired by Clara to compose his own Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 9, which he then dedicated to her.