Gerhard Richter, Tiger, 1965-2023

Gerhard Richter's 'Seestück (bewölkt)' (1969-2023) is a captivating seascape that exemplifies the artist's exploration of the boundaries between photography and painting. The artwork depicts a vast expanse of sea and sky, with clouds hovering above the horizon, creating a sense of sublime beauty reminiscent of 19th-century Romantic paintings.

Richter's technique for this piece involves a unique approach to painting. He begins by combining two separate photographs - one of the sky and another of the sea - to create an idealised composition. The artist then applies highly diluted pigments using his signature squeegee technique, which involves dragging extensive, flexible tools across the canvas. This method produces a smooth, photograph-like surface while introducing an element of chance and abstraction.

'Seestück (bewölkt)' challenges traditional notions of representation and reality. By blurring the lines between photography and painting, Richter invites viewers to question the nature of perception and memory. The piece emerges from within the context of post-war Germany, reflecting Richter's grappling with his country's complex past. It also engages with the legacy of German Romanticism, particularly the work of Caspar David Friedrich, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. Richter continues his lifelong investigation into the relationship between reality and its representation through this seascape, cementing his position as a pivotal figure in 20th and 21st-century art.

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Gerhard Richter DE, 1932