Rolf Schaffner was born in 1927. After five years of highschool, her became an airforce assistant in the (then) “labour programme”, followed by some time in the Naval Forces and as Prisone of War.

In 1956 he joined the sculpture class of Professor A. Hiller at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. He finished his studies in 1962, coming Top of his Class ( Master Student). He contributed to various national and international exhibitions, receiving several awards.

Probably his greatest success was taking third place in an art competition organized by the German Olympic Committee in 1958 for his concrete sculpture “ The Athlete”.

For the young artist, this acknowlegment of his artistic work, topped with the prize money of DM 2,000 ( 2,ooo German Marks) , provided a good launching-pad for his career as a freelance artist. Schaffner donated the prize-winning sculpture to the city of Villingen in Southern Germany, where in 1968 it was finally erected in the “Friedensgrund” - , the “Peaceground”- Sportscenter.

In 1962 Schaffner left Germany, together with his wife and son. While looking for a place to stay and feeling free to further develop his skills as an artist, he finally discovered the Island of Mallorca and the city of Santanyi, with its natural stones being at his disposal, the paradise-like nature, the affectionate people and the vast expanse of the horizons.