The art world celebrates the 90th birthday of Gerhard Richter
Gerhard Richter by Lothar Wolleh c1970Gerhard Richter - Atelier - 1985
Gerhard Richter, one of the essential figures of contemporary European art, turns 90 today and is being honoured in numerous exhibitions in different European museums.
Images: Gerhard Richter photographed by Lothar Wolleh, circa 1970, © Lothar Wolleh, license Creative Commons ·· Gerhard Richter, “Atelier”, 1985, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Nationalgalerie, © Gerhard Richter 2022, Photo: Jörg P. Anders
“I pursue no objectives, no systems, no tendency; I have no program, no style, no direction. I have no time for specialized concerns, working themes, or variations that lead to mastery. I steer clear of definitions. I don't know what I want. I am inconsistent, non-committal, passive; I like the indefinite, the boundless; I like continual uncertainty”.Gerhard Richter, 2003
From 5 February to 1 May 2022, the Albertinum in Dresden, Richter's birthplace, presents "GERHARD RICHTER. Portraits. Glass. Abstractions", a "very personal" exhibition with works largely from the artist's collection and his foundation, including several portraits of the artist's family. “The exhibition at the Albertinum was curated by Gerhard Richter himself, and he consciously places the painted family portraits at the heart of his selection”, explains Dietmar Elger, Head of the Gerhard Richter Archive. “In addition to highlighting the multifaceted nature of Gerhard Richter’s œuvre, the work on display also provides a private insight into the artist’s life. The Gerhard Richter Archive is delighted to be celebrating the artist’s 90th birthday with the opening of this special exhibition.”
From 10 February to 29 May 2022, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (State Museums of Berlin) presents "Gerhard Richter. Artist's Books", the first major retrospective devoted to his artist's books at the museum. In addition to books from various German institutions, the exhibition includes several prints from the Kupferstichkabinett and a large abstract painting, Atelier, on loan from the Nationalgalerie.
In addition to these exhibitions, the Ludwig Museum has announced that from 1 February to 1 May 2022 it will present "a concentrated selection" of Gerhard Richter's works at the museum, which houses one of the finest collections of the artist's paintings, both abstractions and photorealist compositions.

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