Bellmer (1902-1975 ) was born in Kattowitz, Germany (now Katowice, Poland) and he received training as a technical draughtsman in Berlin, 1922-24. In fact he worked as a draughtsman in his own advertising company until 1926. In Berlin he became a friend of George Grosz who was a strong influence upon his early work and also became interested in Dada.

In Paris he worked with the Surrealists producing many etchings and drypoints of which eroticism was a major source of inspiration. During the German occupation Bellmer is thought to have helped the French Resistance by producing fake passports and he remained in France for the rest of his life.