In 1986 the brush is still used, especially to obtain over-shine sprinkles that reinforce or contradict the lines of forces. Abstraktes Bild 599, 300 x 250 cm, was sold for £ 30.4M including premium by Sotheby's on February 10, 2015. AB Still 612-4, 225 x 200 cm, was sold for $ 34M including premium by Sotheby's on November 17, 2016.
On November 14 in New York, Sotheby's sells as lot 8 Abstraktes Bild 636, diptych of total size 260 x 400 cm painted in 1987. The image is dominated by irregular vertical lines in light shades. An ascending and descending oblique pattern ensures the texture. Partially masked by this network, an incandescent zone remains more visible at the bottom of the left side.
In late 1987 and early 1988 for an exhibition in London, Richter painted abstract expressions of colors to evoke the views of the city by Monet. Brick Tower 643-1, 200 x 140 cm, was sold for £ 14.1M including premium by Christie's on July 1, 2015. St James 653-1, 200 x 260 cm, was sold for $ 22.7M including premium by Sotheby's on November 17, 2016.
AB 636 is an abstract work without identification of a naturalistic inspiration. With the domination of verticals, it is however tempting to see the edge of a forest lit by the sun, after Cézanne or Shishkin.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
SOLD for $ 32M including premium
Sotheby’s Announces $30m Richter Abstract Diptych for November https://t.co/nVAsrtQ9JZ pic.twitter.com/IMa689q7lm
— Art Market Monitor (@artmarket) September 27, 2018