Gerhard RICHTER (born in 1932)
1968 Richter invents the Hyperrealistic Blur
2013 SOLD 37 M$ including premium
Gerhard Richter is the true rebel of art. Some artists before him including Rauschenberg had introduced disgust as a variant of artistic impression. Richter goes much further. He debases the art to reveal its profound nature.
In 1962, he considers that a bad photo does not lie because it is too ugly to deserve retouching. It expresses real life, the reality of a fleeting moment which had probably been important for its author.
The anti-art by Richter consists to disproportionately enlarge black and white photos, blurry and often without any interest but in a great variety, by using a hyperrealistic technique already perfectly controlled.
One of his earliest works is the image of an airplane in flight, magnified as an oil on canvas up to 130 x 200 cm. Made in 1963, it was sold for $ 11.2 million including premium by Christie's on November 13, 2007.
The strength of the anti-artistic message of Richter is so great and so new that he finds customers. Domplatz Mailand, an oil on canvas 275 x 290 cm painted in 1968, was commissioned by the Milanese offices of Siemens.
The image is a masterpiece of ugliness with a particularly unpleasant blur. The original photo was lost, thankfully! This photo by an unidentified tourist may be repeated by anyone, without blurring motion, with a more relevant composition than truncating both the cathedral on the right and the buildings on the left.
With this quality and its very large size, Mailand Domplatz is the culmination of the first period of Richter. On the following year, he managed to radically shake the established tradition of landscape painting.
Domplatz Mailand is estimated $ 30M, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 14. It is illustrated in a very interesting blog post shared by the auction house.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This large painting is a technical feat of the first style of Richter, playing altogether on the easy identification of the subject and on the difficulty of reading it. It was sold $ 37M including premium.
In 1962, he considers that a bad photo does not lie because it is too ugly to deserve retouching. It expresses real life, the reality of a fleeting moment which had probably been important for its author.
The anti-art by Richter consists to disproportionately enlarge black and white photos, blurry and often without any interest but in a great variety, by using a hyperrealistic technique already perfectly controlled.
One of his earliest works is the image of an airplane in flight, magnified as an oil on canvas up to 130 x 200 cm. Made in 1963, it was sold for $ 11.2 million including premium by Christie's on November 13, 2007.
The strength of the anti-artistic message of Richter is so great and so new that he finds customers. Domplatz Mailand, an oil on canvas 275 x 290 cm painted in 1968, was commissioned by the Milanese offices of Siemens.
The image is a masterpiece of ugliness with a particularly unpleasant blur. The original photo was lost, thankfully! This photo by an unidentified tourist may be repeated by anyone, without blurring motion, with a more relevant composition than truncating both the cathedral on the right and the buildings on the left.
With this quality and its very large size, Mailand Domplatz is the culmination of the first period of Richter. On the following year, he managed to radically shake the established tradition of landscape painting.
Domplatz Mailand is estimated $ 30M, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on May 14. It is illustrated in a very interesting blog post shared by the auction house.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This large painting is a technical feat of the first style of Richter, playing altogether on the easy identification of the subject and on the difficulty of reading it. It was sold $ 37M including premium.
1986 The Chromatic Chaos of Gerhard Richter
2015 SOLD for £ 30.4M including premium
In the early 1980s, Gerhard Richter begins to find his own abstract style. He gradually escapes evocation and stops from 1986 giving titles to his major works. He also wants to stand out from abstract expressionism in favor of a chaos of colors for which it will however be necessary to provide an overall logic.
On February 10 in London, Sotheby's sells Abstraktes Bild 599, oil on canvas 300 x 250 cm painted in 1986, lot 37 estimated £ 14M.
599 is an experimental work. Chaos is here replaced by a double movement of forces, horizontal and vertical. This is one of his earliest uses of the rake which is still challenged by the brush. Many remorses indicate all the care paid to the realization of this painting in a large size that brings to it the role of a demonstrator.
The artist offers 599 with a full chromatic scale structured in blocks with visible border lines between the colored areas. The clear parts display an opulent shine rarely attempted in painting and evoking Klimt.
The overall impression is a movement of vertical blaze that joins the volcanic explosions by Matta.
599 is a masterpiece by Richter in the etymological meaning of the word, as it is an artwork that opens a new process which will be prolific and will maintain abstract painting among the major arts of contemporary era.
On February 10 in London, Sotheby's sells Abstraktes Bild 599, oil on canvas 300 x 250 cm painted in 1986, lot 37 estimated £ 14M.
599 is an experimental work. Chaos is here replaced by a double movement of forces, horizontal and vertical. This is one of his earliest uses of the rake which is still challenged by the brush. Many remorses indicate all the care paid to the realization of this painting in a large size that brings to it the role of a demonstrator.
The artist offers 599 with a full chromatic scale structured in blocks with visible border lines between the colored areas. The clear parts display an opulent shine rarely attempted in painting and evoking Klimt.
The overall impression is a movement of vertical blaze that joins the volcanic explosions by Matta.
599 is a masterpiece by Richter in the etymological meaning of the word, as it is an artwork that opens a new process which will be prolific and will maintain abstract painting among the major arts of contemporary era.
1986 The Quiet Abstraction of Gerhard Richter
2016 SOLD for $ 34M including premium
Gerhard Richter conscientiously serializes his Abstraktes Bild (AB) in chronological order, in series ranging from one to ten paintings. A review of the 1986 millésime, AB 588 to AB 619, tracks the evolution of the technique and inspiration of the artist in this very important transition year which includes the first use of the squeegee.
At the beginning of 1986, Richter already goes further than other abstract artists by an extensive use of the range of colors and a great brightness. The first AB's of 1986 are often inspired by landscape views in which we try to recognize waterfalls of various shapes. Lines are separating the various areas in the image.
AB 599, 300 x 250 cm, was sold for £ 30,4M including premium by Sotheby's on February 10, 2015. The gigantic culmination of this phase is the two Claudius, AB 603 and AB 604, 311 x 406 cm each. Offered by Christie's on October 19, 2008 at the start of the crisis of the art market, AB 604 was not sold.
AB 612-4, 225 x 200 cm, titled Still, is estimated $ 20M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 17, lot 13.
To execute Still, the artist used jointly brushes and squeegees. The contribution of the squeegee adds a smooth veil over the impasto. The dividing lines are now disappearing.
The title is interesting. Still is of course not a movie picture. The website gerhardrichter.com provides the official English translation : Quiet. AB 615 and AB 616 are named Courbet. Nothing prevents AB 612-4 to be a tribute to another master : Clyfford Still. The large red area on the left in AB 612-4 may be an echo to Still's hells. The intermingling colors that open the new signature style of Richter remind the shredded separations between Clyfford Still's colors.
At the beginning of 1986, Richter already goes further than other abstract artists by an extensive use of the range of colors and a great brightness. The first AB's of 1986 are often inspired by landscape views in which we try to recognize waterfalls of various shapes. Lines are separating the various areas in the image.
AB 599, 300 x 250 cm, was sold for £ 30,4M including premium by Sotheby's on February 10, 2015. The gigantic culmination of this phase is the two Claudius, AB 603 and AB 604, 311 x 406 cm each. Offered by Christie's on October 19, 2008 at the start of the crisis of the art market, AB 604 was not sold.
AB 612-4, 225 x 200 cm, titled Still, is estimated $ 20M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 17, lot 13.
To execute Still, the artist used jointly brushes and squeegees. The contribution of the squeegee adds a smooth veil over the impasto. The dividing lines are now disappearing.
The title is interesting. Still is of course not a movie picture. The website gerhardrichter.com provides the official English translation : Quiet. AB 615 and AB 616 are named Courbet. Nothing prevents AB 612-4 to be a tribute to another master : Clyfford Still. The large red area on the left in AB 612-4 may be an echo to Still's hells. The intermingling colors that open the new signature style of Richter remind the shredded separations between Clyfford Still's colors.
1986 AB Courbet by Richter
2013 SOLD for $ 26.5M including premium by Sotheby's
narrated in 2020
In 1986 Gerhard Richter redefines abstract art. His innovation is not only the use of the rake but the conjunction of this new tool with the brush and the knife. By mingling impastos and transparent veils, the artist creates shimmering effects while using the full range of colors.
Abstraktes Bild 599 is sparkling, with bright contrasts amidst a geometric structure somewhat reminiscent of Boccioni's futuristic compartmentalization. This 250 x 300 cm oil on canvas was sold for £ 30.4M including premium by Sotheby's on February 10, 2015. The seminal work of this style was the opus 590 titled SDI, possibly a reference to the Cold War.
The development continues and the fragmentation of the space gives way to total chaos with a sumptuous multicolored effect. A.B. Still, opus 612-4, 225 x 200 cm, was sold for $ 34M including premium by Sotheby's on November 17, 2016.
The artist rarely reveals his inspirations. A.B. Courbet comes a little later in the nomenclature, with two works which are not series, 615 and 616, oils on canvas 300 x 250 cm. The compositions are not similar : 615 has a luminous lozenge which draws attention to the upper part of the image.
Titles that refer to another artist are exceptional, and the Still above is not the American master of that name. The total abstraction and the mixing of colors cannot have anything to do with the French master of pre-impressionist realism. The colors may evoke Monet's garden. Monet's views of the Parliament of London will indeed explicitly inspire Richter in the following year.
Richter maintains his revolutionary desires. The creation of his abstract chaos has an anarchist motivation. "Courbet" is his homage to one of his most innovative and uncompromising predecessors, indirectly attesting to his satisfaction with his own results. A.B. Courbet 616 was sold for $ 26.5M including premium by Sotheby's on November 13, 2013, lot 22.
Abstraktes Bild 599 is sparkling, with bright contrasts amidst a geometric structure somewhat reminiscent of Boccioni's futuristic compartmentalization. This 250 x 300 cm oil on canvas was sold for £ 30.4M including premium by Sotheby's on February 10, 2015. The seminal work of this style was the opus 590 titled SDI, possibly a reference to the Cold War.
The development continues and the fragmentation of the space gives way to total chaos with a sumptuous multicolored effect. A.B. Still, opus 612-4, 225 x 200 cm, was sold for $ 34M including premium by Sotheby's on November 17, 2016.
The artist rarely reveals his inspirations. A.B. Courbet comes a little later in the nomenclature, with two works which are not series, 615 and 616, oils on canvas 300 x 250 cm. The compositions are not similar : 615 has a luminous lozenge which draws attention to the upper part of the image.
Titles that refer to another artist are exceptional, and the Still above is not the American master of that name. The total abstraction and the mixing of colors cannot have anything to do with the French master of pre-impressionist realism. The colors may evoke Monet's garden. Monet's views of the Parliament of London will indeed explicitly inspire Richter in the following year.
Richter maintains his revolutionary desires. The creation of his abstract chaos has an anarchist motivation. "Courbet" is his homage to one of his most innovative and uncompromising predecessors, indirectly attesting to his satisfaction with his own results. A.B. Courbet 616 was sold for $ 26.5M including premium by Sotheby's on November 13, 2013, lot 22.
1987 Tribute to the Unknown Landscape Painter
2018 SOLD for $ 32M including premium
Gerhard Richter increasingly masters his technique from the moment he applies oil paint in translucent layers with a wide squeegee. The mixing between the wet layers provides a detailed and complete chromatic range. Large gestures with the rake generate vertical and oblique lines of tension. The skill of the artist leads him to create very large formats.
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.
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.
1987 The Triumph of the Squeegee
2020 SOLD for HK$ 215M including premium
For Gerhard Richter, the role of the artist is to create an image. It can be figurative or abstract : he strives to bring these two extremes together. It is not by chance that he titled Abstraktes Bild (AB) his very long series of abstract paintings.
In the early 1980s, he created multicolored abstractions by successively adding and removing layers of transparent colors on his canvases, preferably with shiny backgrounds. He developed the technical solution to meet this need in 1986 by using wide squeegees plus a finish with the brush.
Gaitonde did not give explanations on the creation of his own abstractions, but the rake has certainly also the main role. While the Zen artist reveals a variety from a monochrome, Richter achieves an intricate tangle of brilliant colors that connects him to Pollock and de Kooning.
Richter is skilled. He quickly acquires the mastery of his squeegees. In 1987 he no longer needs the brush. AB 649-2, oil on canvas 200 x 200 cm, is estimated HK $ 120M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 6, lot 1118.
While preparing for an exhibition in London, Richter had fun creating abstractions based on the colors of Monet's Parliaments. His inspiration for AB 649-2 is not known, but this opus is included in the nomenclature after AB Brick Tower (643-1) and AB Tower (series 646 and 647) and before the other titles of London (series 652 and 653).
In the early 1980s, he created multicolored abstractions by successively adding and removing layers of transparent colors on his canvases, preferably with shiny backgrounds. He developed the technical solution to meet this need in 1986 by using wide squeegees plus a finish with the brush.
Gaitonde did not give explanations on the creation of his own abstractions, but the rake has certainly also the main role. While the Zen artist reveals a variety from a monochrome, Richter achieves an intricate tangle of brilliant colors that connects him to Pollock and de Kooning.
Richter is skilled. He quickly acquires the mastery of his squeegees. In 1987 he no longer needs the brush. AB 649-2, oil on canvas 200 x 200 cm, is estimated HK $ 120M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 6, lot 1118.
While preparing for an exhibition in London, Richter had fun creating abstractions based on the colors of Monet's Parliaments. His inspiration for AB 649-2 is not known, but this opus is included in the nomenclature after AB Brick Tower (643-1) and AB Tower (series 646 and 647) and before the other titles of London (series 652 and 653).
1988 Around the Blue
2014 SOLD 28.7 M$ including premium
In 1988, Gerhard Richter desires to control all the artistic potential of pure abstraction. His method is to rework tirelessly the layers of paint until the achievement pleases him. By such a subconscious creation, he is a follower of Pollock. Emotion and hand make art.
He adds two key features: the staging of all colors of the spectrum and the very large size. His progressive and patient technique also enables an exceptional vibration of the color dots.
On May 14 in New York, Sotheby's sells a monumental oil on canvas, 3 x 3 m. This opus 658 is entitled Blau. Blue is predominant only in a small area in the bottom right but its dynamism overrules the artwork. Blau is estimated $ 25M.
Two years later with his squeegee, Richter explores the creation of an illusion of reality, abolishing the differentiation between figuration and abstraction. as De Kooning had done.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
Blau was sold for $ 28.7M including premium consistently with its lower estimate.
He adds two key features: the staging of all colors of the spectrum and the very large size. His progressive and patient technique also enables an exceptional vibration of the color dots.
On May 14 in New York, Sotheby's sells a monumental oil on canvas, 3 x 3 m. This opus 658 is entitled Blau. Blue is predominant only in a small area in the bottom right but its dynamism overrules the artwork. Blau is estimated $ 25M.
Two years later with his squeegee, Richter explores the creation of an illusion of reality, abolishing the differentiation between figuration and abstraction. as De Kooning had done.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
Blau was sold for $ 28.7M including premium consistently with its lower estimate.
1989 High Abstract Virtuosity
2014 SOLD 19.6 M£ including premium
The abstract art by Gerhard Richter is a process of continuous improvement that is accelerating from the mid-1980s.
Technique, colors, increasing size are not a progression towards a single masterpiece but the various elements of a total control that will allow him throughout the following decade to generate a figurative emotion through totally abstract pictures.
On February 13 in London, Christie's sells an Abstraktes Bild painted in 1989, oil on canvas 260 x 200 cm, which is a fabulous demonstration of the technical possibilities of Richter's squeegee.
By twisting the tool Richter creates repeating patterns that are neither geometric nor linear. His virtuosity is so high that each of the many bright colors plays its score without conflicting.
The overview is a shimmering texture that can be compared to the iridescence of light in a waterfall or the impressive color of a molten lava. This monumental picture is however totally abstract. The fineness of detail provides the viewer with an endless wandering of his visual exploration.
I invite you to play the video shared by Christie's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This wonderful Richter painting was sold for £ 19.6M including premium.
Technique, colors, increasing size are not a progression towards a single masterpiece but the various elements of a total control that will allow him throughout the following decade to generate a figurative emotion through totally abstract pictures.
On February 13 in London, Christie's sells an Abstraktes Bild painted in 1989, oil on canvas 260 x 200 cm, which is a fabulous demonstration of the technical possibilities of Richter's squeegee.
By twisting the tool Richter creates repeating patterns that are neither geometric nor linear. His virtuosity is so high that each of the many bright colors plays its score without conflicting.
The overview is a shimmering texture that can be compared to the iridescence of light in a waterfall or the impressive color of a molten lava. This monumental picture is however totally abstract. The fineness of detail provides the viewer with an endless wandering of his visual exploration.
I invite you to play the video shared by Christie's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This wonderful Richter painting was sold for £ 19.6M including premium.
1990 The Decade of the Squeegee
2014 SOLD 29 M$ including premium
Abstraktes Bild 712 by Gerhard Richter was sold for $ 17.5 million including premium by Sotheby's on November 13, 2012. This painting is estimated $ 22M, for sale by Christie's in New York on May 13, lot 15 of the catalog.
I reuse below my previous article with some additional technical information.
Abstraktes Bild 712 is the first work done by Gerhard Richter in 1990. He had started this series two years before, and he his now mastering his use of a wide rake to apply colors.
This squeegee used by Richter to bring the liquid paint on the canvas is a hard tool that disrupts the previous layers of paint when they become almost dry. The process is repeated until the color balance of the work meets the wish of the artist.
To begin that new decade, Richter prepares a masterpiece. This oil on canvas, 260 x 200 cm, is one of the largest. Also the nicely mingling red, yellow and blue are enhanced by a final layer of silver gray which provides a brightening effect onto the whole.
The choice of these three basic colors enables to reach almost the entire spectrum. This is an indirect tribute to the fascination with pure colors that had been expressed by Barnett Newman.
The work is completely abstract, but the uneven distribution of color densities may generate the illusion of a blister, as if this area was part of a living being. It is well known that an Abstraktes Bild by Richter has no figurative meaning. By the effect it can provide to the viewer, 712 is probably one of the closest to Rothko.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Richter painting was sold for $ 29M including premium, far above its 2012 price.
I reuse below my previous article with some additional technical information.
Abstraktes Bild 712 is the first work done by Gerhard Richter in 1990. He had started this series two years before, and he his now mastering his use of a wide rake to apply colors.
This squeegee used by Richter to bring the liquid paint on the canvas is a hard tool that disrupts the previous layers of paint when they become almost dry. The process is repeated until the color balance of the work meets the wish of the artist.
To begin that new decade, Richter prepares a masterpiece. This oil on canvas, 260 x 200 cm, is one of the largest. Also the nicely mingling red, yellow and blue are enhanced by a final layer of silver gray which provides a brightening effect onto the whole.
The choice of these three basic colors enables to reach almost the entire spectrum. This is an indirect tribute to the fascination with pure colors that had been expressed by Barnett Newman.
The work is completely abstract, but the uneven distribution of color densities may generate the illusion of a blister, as if this area was part of a living being. It is well known that an Abstraktes Bild by Richter has no figurative meaning. By the effect it can provide to the viewer, 712 is probably one of the closest to Rothko.
POST SALE COMMENT
This Richter painting was sold for $ 29M including premium, far above its 2012 price.
1994 The Sublime Cacophony of Gerhard Richter
2012 SOLD 21.3 M£ including premium
Nothing can stop the enthusiasm of collectors for large Abstraktes Bild paintings by Gerhard Richter, to the point that the artist himself has indicated his lack of understanding of this phenomenon. Let there be no mistake: his work is both abundant and of exceptional quality. Before him, Alberto Giacometti also protected his creativity by similar statements.
On October 12 in London, Sotheby's sells Abstraktes Bild 809-4, estimated £ 9M. This oil on canvas 225 x 200 cm was painted in 1994 in the period of greater maturity in the abstract art of Richter, when his technique of squeegee is fully developed. Here is the link to the catalog.
With always different and often subtle colors, the horizontal movement of the rake comes in opposition with large vertical streaks. However, the shock of colors is not actually geometric or cleverly dispositioned or allusive of forms. Richter renewed the abstract art without imitating Rothko, or Zao Wou-ki, or Still, and Pollock not either.
Richter's magic is to provide an impression of spontaneity in paintings extensively worked until reaching the emotion intended by the artist. The wording tried in the catalog of "exuberant cacophony" is not enough. For the balance of colors and shapes, I prefer saying that Richter has the absolute eye.
All of that is exciting the contemporary observers. The abstract world of Richter is the chaos of current time. Musicians like Richter as they like Basquiat. 809-4 is brought to auction by Eric Clapton.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This superb Abstraktes Bild deserved an exceptional result. It is done: £ 21.3 million including premium.
On October 12 in London, Sotheby's sells Abstraktes Bild 809-4, estimated £ 9M. This oil on canvas 225 x 200 cm was painted in 1994 in the period of greater maturity in the abstract art of Richter, when his technique of squeegee is fully developed. Here is the link to the catalog.
With always different and often subtle colors, the horizontal movement of the rake comes in opposition with large vertical streaks. However, the shock of colors is not actually geometric or cleverly dispositioned or allusive of forms. Richter renewed the abstract art without imitating Rothko, or Zao Wou-ki, or Still, and Pollock not either.
Richter's magic is to provide an impression of spontaneity in paintings extensively worked until reaching the emotion intended by the artist. The wording tried in the catalog of "exuberant cacophony" is not enough. For the balance of colors and shapes, I prefer saying that Richter has the absolute eye.
All of that is exciting the contemporary observers. The abstract world of Richter is the chaos of current time. Musicians like Richter as they like Basquiat. 809-4 is brought to auction by Eric Clapton.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
POST SALE COMMENT
This superb Abstraktes Bild deserved an exceptional result. It is done: £ 21.3 million including premium.
