Wolfgang Speer was born in Magdeburg (Saxony-Anhalt) in 1926. The painter and graphic artist directed the Berlin-Pankow Graphic Arts Centre for many years from 1960 onwards. In addition, he served as curator of the central exhibitions of popular visual art in the GDR. In 1970, Speer undertook a six-week study trip through North Vietnam together with Peter Westphal. During this stay, a large number of portraits were produced. Fifty of these works were exhibited in Hanoi following their return. He passed away in 2015.