Auction introduction: Sotheby's Germany is honored to present the auction 'Figuration to Abstraction: Expressions of the 20th Century' in Cologne. The auction will be open for bidding from 14–22 November 2023. Drawn from a Distinguished Collection in Europe, this selection of works brings together a century of creativity that embodies the most expressive brushstrokes and the most enigmatic forms. This auction is devoted to the age of abstraction meeting the age of figuration, an era of pure imagination merging with an era of profound symbolism. Each lot in this collection is a celebration of bold colour and elusive form, offering limitless interpretation and unlocking the hidden meanings of the 20th century. As you explore this captivating collection, you'll discover that it's all ahead of us, and that we're all on an artistic journey that will take you to new horizons. Welcome to a tale of two artistic worlds intertwined on canvases, works on paper, photographs, prints and sculptures by well-known artists from Walter Dexel, Lyonel Feininger, Schmidt-Rottluff to Heinz Mack, Horst Antes and Thomas Schütte among many other as well as hidden champions like Ida Kerkovius and Abraham David Christian, waiting to be unravelled by the discerning eye and appreciative heart.