Arsène Heitz was a 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]

His flag was eventually adopted by the Council, though 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.

This French biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

[edit] References