Jean Jacques Waltz was born at Colmar in Alsace on 23rd February 1873. He studied art at Lyons but returned home where he campaigned against the German occupation of Alsace and Lorraine. Waltz, who became a popular artist and illustrator, always signed his work Hansi.

In 1914 Waltz was arrested by the German authorities and charged with high treason. He managed to escape and join the French Army. Transferred to the Propaganda Department, Waltz produced several posters in support of the war effort.

After the First World War Waltz became curator of the Colmar Museum. He survived an assassination attempt during the Second World War that was believed to have been carried out by the Gestapo. Jean Jacques Waltz died in 1951.