In continuation of their partnership established in 2006, A. Lange & Söhne is actively contributing to the exhibition “Gerhard Richter. Overpainted Photographs” by the Gerhard Richter Archive, a notable collaboration. Through this exhibition, scheduled to be on display from August 26th to November 19th, 2023, the renowned Saxon watchmaker is offering its support as a token of appreciation for the first instance where they celebrate the work of a contemporary artist hailing from Dresden.
eople, landscapes and cityscapes – partly hidden by colours, shapes and lines: The “Overpainted Photographs” by Gerhard Richter demand the careful and patient observation of the viewer, as they take a unique approach to Richter’s central artistic theme: the dialogue between the figurative and the abstract. The series of works, created between 1989 and 2017, is based on what appear to be snapshots which the Dresden-born artist first had enlarged into approximately 10 x 15-centimetre prints before using a squeegee with left-over paint from his work on large-format canvases to add texture. The result: An exciting interplay between the narrative nature of the photograph and the abstract character of the applied paint. By removing the imagery from its context, a contrast between illusionistic images and abstract structures can be created on just a small canvas, inviting us to question what we see and to fill it with our own assumptions.
“It is precisely on these small, Overpainted Photographs that Gerhard Richter manages to capture the theme of illusion in an astonishing way,”says Dietmar Elger, director of the archive. “The group of works confirms Gerhard Richter’s scepticism towards our perception of reality. Here, the abstract colour structures destroy the holistic image of the photographic image in the same way that in other works the idea of abstraction as an illusion proves to be true.”
While highly regarded by collectors, the Dresden exhibition titled “Gerhard Richter. Overpainted Photographs” has often been overlooked by the realm of fine art. This exhibition marks only the second occasion where a museum has dedicated itself to this relatively unknown yet remarkably captivating collection of works created by one of the most prominent and influential contemporary painters. Out of the 72 artworks showcased, 36 belong to the Gerhard Richter Art Foundation’s collection, with the remaining 36 generously loaned from private collectors. From August 26th to November 19th, 2023, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to appreciate this captivating assortment of overpainted photographs, which have, for a considerable time, gone unnoticed by the broader public. Born in Dresden in 1932 and having pursued his studies in painting here before relocating to West Germany in 1961 to reshape his artistic journey at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, this thoughtfully curated exhibition provides valuable insights into a distinctive chapter of the artist’s illustrious six-decade-long career.
Despite Gerhard Richter’s unique stature in both the national and international art scenes, he has always maintained a strong connection to his hometown. Following the devastating Elbe floods in 2002, the renowned painter, who shares Dresden as his birthplace with Ferdinand Adolph Lange, one of the city’s most celebrated figures, generously donated his artwork titled “Fels (694)” to the Dresden State Art Collection. This act of support played a pivotal role in the institution’s reconstruction efforts.
Two years later, Richter further solidified his ties to Dresden by placing 32 of his works on permanent loan at the Albertinum, where they formed the Gerhard Richter Rooms. Among Richter’s cherished memories is his artistic training at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. In a 2006 interview, he remarked that despite considering it “entirely out-dated” at the time, he remains steadfast in his belief in its enduring value to this day: the artisanal training allowed us to gain an appreciation for materials, while the drawing and painting training that used nature as an inspiration was invaluable for the development of vision”. The idea that exceptional craftsmanship can only be achieved through hard work is indisputable to him. It goes without saying that you have to master your profession, Gerhard Richter adds.
Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of Lange, recognises similarities between Gerhard Richter’s philosophy and the art of watchmaking and corporate culture practised at A. Lange & Söhne: “whether in painting or fine watchmaking – the most important requirement for the creation of inspiring and technically demanding works of art is an excellent education. For over 25 years, we have made it our mission to train young talent to become watchmakers in-house in order to ensure that the craft, which is firmly rooted in Saxon history, will continue into the future,” says Schmid. “As a manufacture steeped in tradition, the preservation of German cultural heritage is very important to us. We are therefore proud to be able to support the Dresden State Art Collections in this special exhibition dedicated to an outstanding painter who was born in Dresden and who has devoted his entire life to art. Once again, the Museum Association is fulfilling its mission to highlight Dresden’s reputation as a city that offers world-class art and culture. The partnership with A. Lange & Söhne, which has existed since 2006 – the year in which the Gerhard Richter Archiv was established -, is also based on this commitment.
“I am delighted that the watch manufacture A. Lange & Söhne is supporting the exhibition of my “Overpainted Photos” in Dresden,” emphasises Gerhard Richter. “We both share a close and special relationship with the Saxon capital and the Dresden State Art Collections.”