Self-portrait, 1971

Gerhard Richter (b. 1932 Germany) is one of the most influential and versatile contemporary artists, known for his extensive body of work that spans painting, photography, and sculpture. Richter’s work is characterized by its exploration of the relationship between realism and abstraction, often blurring the boundaries between the two. He is renowned for his "photo-paintings," in which he meticulously replicates black-and-white photographs in oil paint, creating a soft-focus effect that questions the nature of reality and perception. Richter has also created a series of abstract paintings known for their vibrant colors and textured surfaces, achieved through a process of layering and scraping away paint. His ability to move seamlessly between styles and mediums, from photorealism to pure abstraction, has made him a key figure in post-war art. Richter’s work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, and he is considered one of the greatest living painters, with his works commanding some of the highest prices in the contemporary art market. (Artist website)