Rainer Hagen was born in Hamburg and graduated in literature and theater studies in Munich. He later worked for radio and TV, most recently as chief editor of a German public broadcasting service.

Together they have collaborated on several TASCHEN titles, including Masterpieces in Detail, Pieter Bruegel, and Francisco de Goya.

Rose-Marie Hagen was born in Switzerland and studied history, Romance languages, and literature in Lausanne.

After further studies in Paris and Florence, she lectured at the American University in Washington, D.C.