“Abstrakte Bild” by Gerhard Richter is a clear example of how the artist is concerned with abstraction and the use of colors and textures. It is well documented that Richter moved from photorealistic painting to abstraction with ease, and the works in the collection appear to capture emotion in the process. “Abstraktes Bild” is an artwork that makes the viewer feel art with no regard for the generally understood forms and representations. Every piece is a boldly bright medley that is painted, overlaid, and reworked to uncover more colors and shades. It is time to explore the secrets of ‘’Abstraktes Bild’’ and reveal the extent of mystery, intelligence, and enchantment of painting.
Who was Gerhard Richter?
Born on February 9, 1932, in Dresden, Germany, Gerhard Richter is one of the most versatile and influential postgraduate artists who worked in multiple genres and media. He is an icon of figurative art, each dimension of photorealism and symbolism. Richter began his career in post-war Germany, a place that was traumatized by war and this formed his art career.
Richter was certainly one of the most diverse artists of his era, and it is this aspect that differentiates him from many of his counterparts. He makes a lot of different topics in his works: from the semi-realistic portraits with nearly imperceptible blurs to bright abstractions. The fact that he was able to switch between techniques has made him recognized as a pioneering artist. And, frankly, he keeps art critics on their toes while they are trying to define his style!
FUN FACT: Gerhard Richter holds the record for one of the most expensive paintings sold by a living artist. His piece “Abstraktes Bild (599)” sold for an astonishing $46.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2015.
His Career
Richter started his career in the 1960s and even from the starting stage, he was bent on subverting conventions. He arrived in West Germany in 1961 after he escaped from East Germany and here he came across American pop art and abstract expressionism. These influences started entering his early works and thus, introduced his blurred painting style into the world.
Dreamlike depictions seem to be a common theme in Richter’s works with emphasis on breaking the barrier of what is real, especially in his oil painting titled Betty, which looks more like an actual photograph of a woman although painted with oils. Still, he employs the methods, such as blurring, which make the viewer visually distanced from the object and perceive it as a dream. The blurring of the image is one of the hallmarks of Richter’s works that compels the viewers to stand and stare at it in disbelief.
What is Happening in Abstraktes Bild?
| Artist | Gerhard Richter |
| Date Created | 1986 (varies with different versions) |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Genre | Abstract |
| Period | Contemporary |
| Dimensions | Varies with each version (common size: 260 cm x 200 cm) |
| Series / Versions | “Abstraktes Bild” (Multiple versions from the 1970s onward) |
| Where is it housed? | Various collections and private owners (e.g., Tate Modern, MoMA) |
When people look at “Abstraktes Bild,” they may feel that it is an intricate chaos of colors. The series (which has many different variations) can be seen as an interaction between order and chaos. Richter works with a squeegee – a large-sized one, not like the one we use to clean mirrors in our homes.
The first time one looks at it, it looks like the paint is splattered all over the wall but as you take your time to appreciate it, you will realize that it has designs and even a texture. Every layer reacts to other layers in harmony, sometimes it is integrated, and at other times stark juxtaposition of color and shade. Through scraping back the paint up, layers are exposed with cross-over effects from one color to another. This layering and removal process mirrors life itself: chaotic, inconsistent and yet, if one closely analyzes this, there is much more to it.
The Mastery Behind “Abstraktes Bild”
Richter uses an interesting technique to develop a “Abstrakte Bild”, which is as amazing as the paintings. He then applies another layer of oil paint, then rubs a squeegee over it, smearing the colours together or removing the paint to show what is below. This is a work of accuracy and randomness – he is deliberate in his actions though unforeseen events could occur. That’s part of the magic.
Interesting Facts about Abstraktes Bild
A Record-Breaker: One of the “Abstraktes Bild” paintings made headlines when it sold for a whopping $46.3 million at auction, becoming the most expensive work by a living artist at the time.
A Celebrity Collector: This very painting was previously owned by none other than British musician Eric Clapton! Yes, “Layla” Clapton himself is a fan of Richter’s abstract work.
The Squeegee King: Richter’s use of the squeegee has become iconic, not only for its unusual nature but because it allows him to create paintings that are impossible to replicate. Each stroke is unique, and every layer of paint interacts differently with the next.
Artwork Spotlight: Vierwaldstätter See
Richter’s “Vierwaldstätter See” is available on Singulart. This painting of Lake Lucerne hints at a photographic style but is still far from a traditional landscape, with blurred edges and a dreamlike quality that make it a close cousin of his abstract works.
Are you looking for a piece of artwork from Gerhard Richter?
Singulart has limited edition prints of Gerhard Richter. If you are looking for a piece of Richter‘s artwork for sale, simply click on the artwork or the button below to discover more!
Frequently Asked Question
1. What is Gerhard Richter’s most expensive painting?
The biggest amount Gerhard Richter has ever received at auction is $46.3 million for Abstraktes Bild from 1986.
2. Is Gerhard Richter German?
Visual artist Gerhard Richter is from Germany. Richter has created glass sculptures, pictures, and both realistic and abstract paintings.
Conclusion
Gerhard Richter’s Abstraktes Bild series is a vibrant mix of colors, playful disorder, and artistic passion. It’s not merely a random splash of paint; rather, it’s an intricate dialogue between control and unpredictability. Each painting in the series tells its own story, captivating viewers and pulling them into another world.
Richter continues to challenge and mesmerize with his ever-evolving, provocative techniques. Whether you favor photorealism or full abstraction, there’s something almost hypnotic about Abstraktes Bild. It draws you in, leaving you questioning and captivated.
