Born in Bern, Switzerland, Hans Eggimann studied from 1891 – 1895 at the Technical University of Dresden and from 1899 - 1901 at the École Supérieure National des Beaux-Arts de Paris. He was active in construction and architecture before becoming interested in printmaking following his introduction to Albert Welti, who had come to Bern to work on a large mural project. Eggimann learned engraving and etching from Welti and, sharing his friend's fascination with fantasy and satire, executed beautifully rendered engravings filled with surreal characters and settings. The onset of severe and intractable depression led Eggimann to take his own life by throwing himself off Bern's Kirchenfeld bridge.