Saul Steinberg (*1914-†1999) studied sociology and psychology at the University of Bucharest in his native country, Romania, but then moved to Milan to study architecture, from which he graduated with a diploma. However, he never worked as an architect, but as a graphic artist. While still a student, he published drawings in the weekly satirical newspaper Bertoldo, which he co-founded. 

The increasingly strong antisemitism in Europe forced Steinberg to emigrate to America. There, he becomes known for his cartoons in the New Yorker. One of Steinberg’s covers for the New Yorker in particular, became virtually iconic: a perspective-distorted view through 9th Avenue onto the Pacific Ocean and neighboring countries – New York as the gateway to the world. The modern live, especially the one in the American big cities, is a recurring theme in Steinberg’s work. This he treats with detail and with humor, but also with astute criticism.