Editions 1965-2011. The exhibition comprises some 220 works and presents Richter's graphic prints, photographic editions, multiples, editions in oil, artist's books and artist's posters. in the editions the artist applying widely different essential strategies: figuration, abstraction, monochromy, optical illusion, reflection, grids, and geometric constructions.
curated by: Wolfgang Schoppmann
consultant: Hubertus Butin
Gerhard Richter has secured an international reputation as one of the most important
and successful German artists of current times.
Although most famous for his paintings,
over the last few years his editions have also increasingly become the focus of attention.
The Olbricht Collection is probably the only private art collection in the world to contain
virtually all of Gerhard Richter’s editions, spanning a period from 1965 to 2011.
The major retrospective of Richter’s oil paintings at the New National Gallery, held to
coincide with his 80th birthday, presents us with a unique opportunity to unveil a parallel
exhibition in Berlin that will place the spotlight on his diverse oeuvre of editions.
The editions form a vital part of Gerhard Richter’s oeuvre. In a letter to the Museum of
Modern Art in New York in 1998, he himself stated: ‘I saw, and still see, editions as a
welcome counterpart to producing paintings, which are one-offs. Editions are a wonderful
opportunity to present my work to a wider audience.’
In addition, the editions offer the artist the chance to try out and experiment with new
artistic possibilities. For this reason, they cover a broad variety of media and genres, in
which we see the artist applying widely different essential strategies: figuration,
abstraction, monochromy, optical illusion, reflection, grids, geometric constructions, to
name but a few.
The exhibition comprises some 220 works and presents Gerhard Richter’s graphic prints,
photographic editions, multiples, editions in oil, artist’s books and artist’s posters. Among
the works on show are popular motifs based on famous paintings, such as the
photographic editions Ema (Nude on a Staircase) and Uncle Rudi, graphic editions,
including Mao, Elisabeth, Betty, Canary Landscapes and Colour Fields, multiples such as
Sphere and Mirror, as well as editions in oil such as Grey and Fuji .
Event series
We will be hosting a series of expert talks to accompany the exhibitions:
22.02.2012, 7 p.m.
‘Painting as edition – Gerhard Richter’s editions in oil’
with Dr. Stefan Gronert, curator for contemporary art, director of the Prints Collection,
Kunstmuseum Bonn
15.03.2012, 7 p.m.
‘Highlights from the editions: production, significance and stories behind the images’
with Hubertus Butin, art historical assistant to Gerhard Richter from 1996 to 1998, editor
of catalogue raisonné of the editions, Berlin
12.04.2012, 7.30 p.m.
‘Gerhard Richter as a draughtsman’
Lecture by Dr. Dieter Schwarz, Kunstmuseum Winterthur, upon invitation by the
Graphische Gesellschaft zu Berlin, held in the lecture hall at the Kulturforum,
Matthäikirchplatz 8
03.05.2012, 7 p.m.
‘From photograph to painting and back again / Gerhard Richter – editions’
with Dr. Dietmar Elger, Gerhard Richter Archive, Dresden
We will, of course, be again holding international collector discussions, readings and
tours to coincide with the exhibition, as well as a children’s programme for kindergartens
and schools.
Visitors to the exhibition will also have the chance to see Victoria von Flemming’s
documentary film on the artist, ‘The Portrait: My Pictures are Cleverer than I Am’, as well as
browse through a wealth of catalogue material out on show.
Image: Kerze II, 1989 © Gerhard Richter, 2011, Photo: Jana Ebert
Press contact me Collectors Room Berlin:
Tina Volk T +49 30 860085-114 F +49 30 860085-120 presse@me-berlin.com
artpress – Ute Weingarten
Elisabethkirchstr. 15, 10115 Berlin Fon + 49 30 219618-43 artpress@uteweingarten.de
Press tour: Friday, 10 February 2012, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Open Sunday: Sunday, 12 February 2012, noon to 6 p.m. (admission free)
me Collectors Room Berlin / Olbricht Foundation
Auguststrasse 68 - Berlin
Opening times: Tue-Sun 12-6 p.m