Romances are a small genre in chamber music. It grew out of short sentimental songs created in the 18th century. In French these songs were called Romances, but in the 19th century the voice was left out. The lyric nature stayed, like a song without words. They also share a sense of intimacy and simplicity.
1853, the year when the romances were written, was a particular productive year for Clara. Married to Robert Schumann gave the couple 8 children in 13 years. Add to that the ailments of Robert, and you’re left with little time for composing. Robert was keenly aware of that:
Clara has composed a series of small pieces, which show a musical and tender ingenuity such as she has never attained before. But to have children, and a husband who is always living in the realm of imagination, does not go together with composing. She cannot work at it regularly, and I am often disturbed to think how many profound ideas are lost because she cannot work them out.
It took 43 years before she would compose another piece. By that time she had a totally different life.