Gertrud Heartfield Death 1983. John Heartfield’s Third Wife Was His Constant Companion.

Between 1968 and her death in East Berlin in 1983, Gertrud Heartfield continues to exchange many letters with John Heartfield’s son, Tom George Heartfield, and this exhibition’s curator, John J Heartfield.

These letters are part of The John J Heartfield Collection. As the exhibition expands, the letters will be available in the Life As A Fighter -> Words & Images -> John J Heartfield Collection section of The Official John Heartfield Exhibition.

Tom Heartfield’s family enjoyed Gertrud’s company in Italy in the 1950s and 1960s when she and John Heartfield could get temporary visas from East Germany.

Gertrud was a charming, intelligent woman. She was always there to take care of Heartfield and ground him. Her calm good-natured personality was an excellent match whenever John Heartfield’s excitable, emotional side emerged.

Gertrud “Tutti” Heartfield was a blessing to John Heartfield . This exhibition’s curator knows she always did her best for his grandfather. John J Heartfield remembers Gertrud Heartfield as his adopted grandmother.

Professor John J Heartfield is John Heartfield’s paternal grandson. He gives live interactive presentations around the world that focus on his grandfather’s life and work and modern political art. Please write to him to request his presence at your event or ask any question. He is always pleased to hear from exhibition visitors.