Grisebach is delighted to announce the first highlight of the upcoming Winter Auctions on 26 and 27 November 2026: the Wulf Herzogenrath Collection from his estate. Far more than the sum of its individual acquisitions, this curated selection of around 107 paintings, watercolours, prints, sculptures and installations comes together to form a personal ‘puzzle’ – a tapestry of artistic perspectives, ideas and forms that has evolved over the years. The offer ranges from Gerhard Richter to Paula Modersohn-Becker, from Arthur Segal to László Péri, from John Cage to Nam June Paik, and from Marcel Duchamp to Sigmar Polke. The average total estimate for the collection is 1.687 million euros.
Wulf Herzogenrath has shaped the art world for decades – as a connoisseur, mediator, curator and, above all, as a person with a visionary openness to art. His focus was on the interrelationships, the surprising connections and the subtle correspondences between eras, media and artistic approaches. As a recognised Bauhaus specialist, long-standing director of the Kölnischer Kunstverein, chief curator of the Nationalgalerie Berlin and director of the Kunsthalle Bremen, he has left an indelible mark on major exhibitions and institutions. He provided significant impetus, particularly as a pioneer of video and media art. His collaboration and friendship with Nam June Paik exemplify his ability to recognise new artistic positions at an early stage and to give them space to flourish.
The collection does not follow a linear canon. Each work stands on its own whilst also forming part of a wider context. Artistic perspectives, personal encounters and intellectual interests are interwoven like a web – making the collection a reflection of his own approach to collecting.
“It is a great honour for us to be able to offer this special collection and thereby share a part of Wulf Herzogenrath’s very personal perspective on art. We would like to thank his family for the trust they have placed in us,” said Diandra Donecker and Markus Krause of Grisebach.
The works will be offered at the ‘Selected Works’, ‘Contemporary Art’ and ‘Modern Art’ auctions on 26 and 27 November 2026. In addition, a separate online sale will take place from 20 November to 13 December. All works will be on display at Villa Grisebach from 20 November as part of the pre-sale viewing.
To accompany the sale, a dedicated catalogue will be published, featuring texts and additional images, dedicated to Wulf Herzogenrath’s collection and its multifaceted connections.
Felix Herzogenrath, son of Wulf Herzogenrath:
“The art that my father lived amongst says a great deal about him: about his curiosity, his closeness to the artists, and his openness to a wide variety of artistic approaches. Some of these works were part of his life for many years. It is a lovely thought that they can now take on new contexts and continue to have an impact there.”