Ricco, (Erich Wassmer), grew up in a castle Bremgarten in an upper-class milieu, frequented by artists, musicians and poets. There was to be a poetically transfigured mood, described in Hermann Hesses novel "Journey to the East", a fertile ground for the desire of the boys, artists.

After graduating in 1935 Wassmer studied one semester art history in Munich. From 1937 he signed his works consistently with Ricco. Two years later he attended in Paris the free Academy Ranson. His first creative phase is marked by romantic subjects and still lifes. In 1948 he traveled on a commercial freighter twice around the world. From then on he added an anchor to his signature. After a term of impris...