<< HEARTFIELD CHRONOLOGY – ALL YEARS1957 1958 1960 1962 1964 1968


“When we came to the GDR, and the brothers tried to continue working together on an artistic basis, it was impracticable. The years of emigration, with diverse kinds of experiences on both sides in different countries, had formed different people. […] Johnny was very unhappy and desperate about the situation, but he couldn’t change it. He had become another person. […]

And then there was Johnnies’ illness – his two heart attacks and the time spent in the hospital. […]

But then, thanks to the strenuous efforts of his friends Brecht, [Bodo] Uhse, and [Stephan] Heym, John was elected to the Academy. From then on, he had a life of his own. Things began to pick up with his exhibitions. […]”

Letter From Heartfield's wife, Gertrud (Tutti), To Heinz Schnabel, Director Of The Akademie Der Künste, East Berlin, Circa 1972.
Letter From Heartfield's wife, Gertrud (Tutti), To Heinz Schnabel, Director Of The Akademie Der Künste, East Berlin, Circa 1972.

Kunstler Volkes [People’s Art]. John Heartfield’s Art For The People. His Weapon Against Ignorance, Fascism, Bigotry, & War, 1958 – 1959

From 1958 to 1959, John Heartfield participates in exhibitions in Switzerland and the GDR (East Germany).

A documentary film, John Heartfield, ein Künster des Volkes (John Heartfield, An Artist of the People),  DEFA, is produced.

This documentary is available on The Exhibition’s YouTube channel.
Life As A Fighter -> Video -> Documentaries On Heartfield.





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.

Kunstler Volkes Artist John Heartfield grandson, John Heartfield, Curator Official John Heartfield Exhibition