Gerhard Richter

Abstract Painting (Grey) (880-3)

2002

Not on display

Artist: Gerhard Richter born 1932
Original title: Abstraktes Bild (Grau) (880-3)
Medium: Oil paint on aluminium
Dimensions: Support: 2204 × 1544 × 55 mm
Collection: ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland
Acquisition: ARTIST ROOMS Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008
Reference: AR00030

Online caption

When, in the early 1980s, Richter began to develop an abstract way of painting that avoided overt expression and subjectivity, he chose to paint exclusively in grey. Grey was neutral, grey was neither positive nor negative, grey was perhaps even dull. At various times since then, Richter has returned to using grey when he was attempting something new and did not want the added complications of colour. In the early 2000s, he began to explore ways of looking behind appearances by using scientific principles and discoveries. This painting is part of that group of works.