Lot 325 | Untitled (28.4.08)

RICHTER, GERHARD
1932 Dresden

Title: Untitled (28.4.08).
Date: 2008.
Technique: Lacquering over coloured offset on catalogue page.
Mounting: (29,5 x 21cm) mounted on card (41,5 x 38,5cm).
Notation: Dated and signed on the card beneath the sheet centre right: 28.4.08 - Richter. Dated by the artist on the back of the stretcher: 28.4.08.
Frame/Pedestal: Framed.
Condition: Not examined out of frame.


The work is listed on the artist's official webpage in the column "Öl auf Papier" (www.Gerhard Richter.com).

We thank Mr. Dr. Elger, Gerhard-Richter-Archiv Dresden, for confirming the authenticity

Since the 1960s experiments Richter with the idea of creating works in which coincedence plays a crucial role. Even though Richter pre-determines parameters such as choice of colour and material, as well as format the result is only parially controllable.
Thus, Richter choses first the colours and applys tham onto a flat surface. Here he incorporates oil and lacquering paints in different ways. Additionally, he works with palette knife and other materials. Richter captures this partially random, partially planned wirling of the paint with all its details by making a status quo print. For this he lays the desired carrrier, here a catalogue page, onto the paint and is thus the carrier for the snapshot, only the paint creating the forms. When taking off the carrier small gaps remain in the paint which allows insight onto the carrier. They partially overlap and partially bleed into each other's colourd spaces and acts as indirect references for Richter's creation process. The viewer realises quickly that coincidence played an active part of the creation process. Therfore, Richter partially incorporates visual experience the creation porcess of his works.
Richter frees himself from the traditional dogma of painting with this unique technique. With alsomst hafl a century of artistic experience Richter demonstrates established viewing habits and is promoted to one of the most meaningful international artist of the century.