Gerhard Richter. Bilder 1999

Author Heynen, Julian
Date 2000
Publisher Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, Köln
Details Softcover, 86 pages
ISBN 3883754250
Language English, German

Catalogue accompanying the exhibition Gerhard Richter. Zeichnungen, Aquarelle, neue Bilder at Kaiser Wilhelm Museum Krefeld (April 9–June 18, 2000).

Although throughout his career Richter has always worked in the two seemingly contrasting realms of pure abstraction and photorealism they have turned out to be complementary aspects of his vision. This inter-relation of media is especially evident in the series of paintings completed in 1999 and is brought together in this publication. Having always been a strong believer in the power of painting this series of work documents his rediscovery of this powerful and for himself unavoidable force of self-expression. The images range from abstract, expressionistic shapes, to landscapes, to portraits without losing the underlying loyalty to aesthetic beauty. Adding to the reproductions there is a perceptive text by Julian Heynen to complete this publication.