Isolde Monson-Baumgart studied graphic design with Hans Leistikow and Hans Hillmann at the Kassel Hochschule. While still a student, she was commissioned to design film posters and established a reputation by winning awards in national and international shows. In 1959 she went to Paris to study engraving and colour printmaking with S.W. Hayter (Atelier 17). Isolde moved to the USA in 1976 and settled in New England. From 1980–84, she taught at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Other teaching assignments followed: in 1984–86 at the Merz Akademie, Stuttgart and in 1987–89 as a guest professor at Kassel University. In 1996 she moved to France. Her work has been shown in major shows and biennials in Europe, Japan and the US. Her posters and prints are part of various collections, including the Art Institute of Minneapolis, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Die Neue Sammlung, Munich, Kunstbibliothek Berlin, National Gallery Oslo and Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.