Gerhard Richter - by Dieter Schwarz & Nicholas Serota (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This lavish monograph retraces the 60-year career of one of the leading artists of contemporary painting.

Gerhard Richter describes himself as a "classical painter," and the exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris aims to showcase the complete evolution of his career, spanning over six decades. It will highlight both the continuities and disruptions in his work, which includes not only painting but also exquisite drawings, overpainted photographs, and sculptures. Located in Frank Gehry's iconic building in Bois de Boulogne, the exhibition will be organized chronologically, allowing visitors to appreciate the unique characteristics of each piece. Trained in Dresden, Richter is interested in historical genres of painting and seeks to reinterpret them in the context of contemporary times, revealing beauty and ethical issues through seemingly conventional subjects. He has also explored various painting techniques, creating works that range from quiet and refined to those bursting with energy, reflecting his physical engagement in the creative process.

Review Quotes

"...a comprehensive landscape of moods, themes, tones, and techniques." -- "Exhibition review, Hyperallergic"

"...covers six decades of work by the artist who was born in 1932 in Dresden, Germany, where he lived under fascism and then communism before fleeing to study art in the West, in Düsseldorf. Today, the artist's practice is devoted to drawing, but it is his work as a painter that remains unparalleled."--Emily LaBarge "Exhibition review, The New York Times"

"...epic...a gargantuan showcase..." -- "Exhibition review, The Art Newspaper"

"...sweeping, staggering...." --Jackie Wullschläger "Exhibition review, The Financial Times"

"...for the internationally renowned artist Gerhard Richter, [his images] attest to a monumental career that not only moves through a multitude of genres, but also transmits meaning from each and every surface."--Amy Verner "Exhibition review, Vogue "

"Is Gerhard Richter the Greatest Artist of Our Time?"

--Howard Halle "Exhibition review, Art News"

About the Author

Nick Serota is chair of Arts Council England. He was director of the Tate from 2008 to 2017 and is an art historian and curator and Dieter Schwarz is an art historian and curator, he is considered to be the leading specialist in the work of Gerhard Richter.