He started as a naturalist but soon turned to Art Nouveau style, similar to Gustav Klimt and Koloman Moser. His main source of income were book illustrations. He designed book covers, postcards, and ex-libris as well. His love for fantastic worlds led him to explorations of German mythology, especially to everything related to Wagner's work. He befriended Siegfried Wagner, Richard's son, who was also a composer and illustrated some of his works as well.

 

 

Stassen was a member of NSDAP and was appointed as a professor by Adolf Hitler who ordered tapestries for Reich Chancellery with motifs from Edda from him. Although married as a youngster (but his wife died in 1913), he preferred men and lived with one for most of his life. Franz Stassen died on April 18th, 1949.