Canvas · Acryl/Ink · 200 x 100 · 2016

Content: text from Joni Mitchell: Clouds

Helmut Schmidt, 23 December 1918 – 10 November 2015, was a German politician who served as Chancellor from 1974 to 1982.

Before becoming Chancellor, he had served as Minister of Defence (1969–1972) and as Minister of Finance (1972–1974). In the latter role he gained credit for his financial policies. He had also served briefly as Minister of Economics and as acting Foreign Minister. As Chancellor, he focused on international affairs, seeking "political unification of Europe in partnership with the United States".

He retired from Parliament in 1986, after clashing with the SPD's left wing, who opposed him on defence and economic issues. In 1986 he was a leading proponent of European monetary union and a European Central Bank.

And he was an exzellent pano player