Rolf Gérard was born in Berlin to a scientist father and an Italian opera singer mother; he was raised amidst both discipline and drama. Although he initially studied philosophy and logic, art and performance soon took precedence, leading him first to Oxford and then to Paris, where he began to shape his creative career.

Gérard moved easily between painting, graphic design and the world of opera, creating posters, programmes and stage designs that were bold, elegant and full of theatrical flair. He worked internationally, spending time in both Europe and the United States, including designing for major opera houses in New York. Alongside this, he continued to paint and exhibit widely, building a body of work that feels confident, stylish and quietly imaginative.

In later life, he settled in Switzerland, staying creatively active into old age and eventually founding a foundation to share his work. Today, Gérard is remembered for art that comfortably straddles fine art and performance – visually striking, cultured and full of life.