Gerhard Richter

Grey

1974

Not on display

Artist: Gerhard Richter born 1932
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 2505 × 1951 × 40 mm
Collection: Lent from a private collection 1992
On long term loan
Reference: L01682

Display caption

During the 1970s Richter produced several groups of grey paintings, attracted to the neutrality and inconspicuousness of the colour. This series followed a set of vibrant colour paintings, and has been seen as a reaffirmation of artistic purity. ‘Grey is the epitome of non-statement’, he has observed, ‘it does not trigger off feelings or associations, it is actually neither visible nor invisible... Like no other colour it is suitable for illustrating ‘nothing’.’ Such observations go hand-in-hand with the artist’s frequently expressed resistance to ideologies of any kind.

Gallery label, April 2007

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