Gerhard Richter

Date of Birth: February 9, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Gerhard Richter is a renowned German visual artist known for his diverse and innovative works that span a wide array of styles and techniques. Born on February 9, 1932, in Dresden, Germany, Richter initially studied at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. He later fled from East Germany to West Germany in 1961, where he continued his studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His early career was heavily influenced by Socialist Realism, but he soon shifted towards a more abstract and experimental approach. Richter’s oeuvre includes abstract paintings, photorealistic pieces, and glass sculptures, among other forms. He has been celebrated for his ability to blend traditional techniques with contemporary concepts, making him one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Over the decades, Richter has received numerous awards and honors, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in the modern art world.

5 Interesting Facts about Gerhard Richter

1. Gerhard Richter holds the record for the highest auction price for a work by a living artist; his painting “Abstraktes Bild (599)” sold for $46.3 million in 2015.

2. Richter’s work is characterized by its diversity, including both photorealistic and abstract paintings.

3. He fled from East Germany to West Germany just months before the construction of the Berlin Wall.

4. Richter has a meticulous process of painting over his works multiple times to achieve his signature blurred effect.

5. He has been awarded several prestigious accolades, including the Praemium Imperiale and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gerhard Richter

1. “Art is the highest form of hope.”

2. “I like everything that has no style: dictionaries, photographs, nature, myself and my paintings. Because style is violence, and I am not violent.”

3. “I don’t think the meaning exists in the first place. It’s all just perception.”

4. “I’m not trying to imitate reality. I’m trying to create a reality of the same intensity.”

5. “Painting is another form of thinking.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Gerhard Richter’s net worth was estimated to be around $700 million, largely due to the value of his artworks in the global market.

Children

Gerhard Richter has three children. He has a son named Moritz and a daughter named Betty from his first marriage to Marianne Eufinger. He also has a son named Theodor from his second marriage to Sabine Moritz.