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Gerd Aretz

1930 – 2009

German artist

University teacher Postage stamp designerDraftsperson
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About Gerd Aretz

Lived 1930 – 2009 (aged 79). Gerd Aretz was a German university teacher, postage stamp designer, draftsperson, graphic artist, sculptor and poster artist.

Gerd Aretz (18 February 1930 – 5 July 2009) was a German artist. From 1960 until his death he designed postage stamp for the Deutsche Bundespost including the Women in German history series portraits.

Born in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, he used to teach art in the local university. In 1982, the "presidential souvenir sheet" designed by Aretz appeared, featuring the German presidents Theodor Heuss, Heinrich Lübke, Gustav Heinemann, Walter Scheel and Karl Carstens. Their successors Richard von Weizsäcker, Roman Herzog and Johannes Rau had refused to appear on stamps during their lifetimes. After Rau's death, the Federal Ministry of Finance issued an urgent order to submit a design for a commemorative stamp within 72 hours; together with his son, Aretz succeeded in fulfilling this order on time. In the same year, he also designed the stamp for Stamp Day. Among other things, it shows a letter holder with letters addressed to him, franked with stamps designed by him.

His son, Oliver Aretz, is a designer in Berlin and has worked with him on some stamps.

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Important facts

People in Gerd Aretz's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gerd Aretz's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gerd Aretz?

German artist (1930–2009)

When was Gerd Aretz born?

Gerd Aretz was born on 18 February 1930 in Wuppertal.

When did Gerd Aretz die?

Gerd Aretz died on 5 July 2009 in Wuppertal.

What was Gerd Aretz's occupation?

Gerd Aretz was a university teacher, postage stamp designer, draftsperson, graphic artist, sculptor and poster artist.

What nationality was Gerd Aretz?

Gerd Aretz was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gerd Aretz

· Wikidata: Q77119

· DBpedia: Gerd Aretz

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gerd Aretz. https://biography.guide/gerd-aretz/

MLA: "Gerd Aretz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gerd-aretz/.

Chicago: "Gerd Aretz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gerd-aretz/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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