Hans Christoph (Christof) Drexel was born in 1886, in Konigstein, Germany. Hans belonged to the expressionist avant-garde artists at the beginning of the 20th century. While studying medicine and architecture, Hans Drexel also published his first graphic works in the art nouveau magazine 'Jugend,' edited in Munich. He went on study trips to the famous Académie Julian in Paris, and around 1908-09, to Rome. Hans was in contact with many important contemporary artists of the day; Emil Nolde, Henry van de Velde, Henri Matisse, and later Edvard Munch. In 1912, he participated in the legendary "Sonderbund" exhibition in Cologne.