Esteban Velazquez von Wilhelm was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, into a family of German descent—a heritage that has profoundly influenced his artistic vision and production.

He earned a degree in History and a master’s degree in Art History and Visual Culture from the University of Zulia. Following his studies, he founded Wilhelm, an art and lifestyle magazine that quickly gained prominence, not only in Venezuela but also across neighboring markets such as Colombia, Panama, and the Dutch Antilles.

The magazine’s independent and liberal editorial stance, however, drew the ire of Venezuela’s increasingly repressive political regime. Velazquez von Wilhelm faced mounting threats and censorship aimed at silencing independent media considered “elitist” or “bourgeois.” These hostilities culminated in a violent attack at the magazine’s offices, during which he was severely injured and lost his right eye.

After recovering from this traumatic episode and following the death of his great-aunt Angelina—whom he regarded as both his protector and first patron—Velazquez von Wilhelm relocated to Germany, living first in Munich and later in Dresden.

Active as an artist since adolescence, his work reveals an anecdotal and autobiographical inclination, frequently engaging with everyday and historical narratives in which he often places himself as a central figure. His artistic development in Germany has been characterized by a deep engagement with the visual traditions of the German royal houses—particularly those of Bavaria, Saxony, and Prussia—providing both structure and depth to his evolving creative practice.