Arsène Heitz
Arsène Heitz was a French draughtsman, born in Strasbourg, who worked at the Council of Europe. He is the author of the Flag of Europe (that of the Council of Europe and the European Union).
Heitz worked in the postal service of the Council of Europe while the flag was being chosen between 1950 and 1955 and he submitted 21 of the 101 designs that are conserved in the Council of Europe Archives.[1][2]
He proposed among other drawings a circle of fifteen yellow stars upon a blue background;[3] inspired by the twelve-star halo of the Virgin Mary,[4] the Queen of Heaven of the Book of Revelation, often portrayed in Roman Catholic art, which can be seen in the Rose Window that the Council of Europe donated to Strasbourg Cathedral in 1953.[5] Indeed, he proposed a design with “a crown of 12 golden stars with 5 rays, their points not touching.”
His flag was eventually adopted by the Council, with twelve stars and the design was finalised by Paul Michel Gabriel Levy.[6]
He belonged to the Order of the Miraculous Medal, which may have influenced his views on the symbolism of the 12 stars.
[edit] References
- ^ "Proposals for European flags from Arsène Heitz (1952–1955)". European NAvigator. http://www.ena.lu/proposals-european-flags-arsene-heitz-19521955-022300131.html. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ "Lettre d’Arsène Heitz à Filippo Caracciolo (Strasbourg, 5 janvier 1952)". European NAvigator. http://www.ena.lu?lang=1&doc=19530. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ "The European flag: questions and answers". European NAvigator. http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=21621. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- ^ "Maria Europea : histoire du drapeau européen.". L'Etre persienne. 20 September 2008. http://sartorius.lalibreblogs.be/archive/2008/09/19/histoire-du-drapeau-europeen.html. Retrieved 2008-10-25.(French)
- ^ "The European Commission and religious values". The Economist. 2004-10-28. http://www.economist.com/printedition/PrinterFriendly.cfm?Story_ID=3332056. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
- ^ "Recommendation 56(1) of the Consultative Assembly on the choice of an emblem for the Council of Europe (25 September 1953)". European NAvigator. http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=18094. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
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