A Year of Richter: Celebrating the Master's Legacy in 2025 and Beyond
2025 marks a significant year in the ongoing celebration of Gerhard Richter's prolific and influential career. While the artist himself is no longer with us, his legacy continues to resonate powerfully through numerous exhibitions and events planned across the globe. These displays offer a diverse look at Richter's multifaceted practice, from his meticulously crafted drawings to the broader impact of his archive.
By Maria Miller
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One highlight is the exhibition "GERHARD RICHTER: 81 ZEICHNUNGEN ∙ 1 STRIP-BILD ∙ 1 EDITION" at the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung München (State Graphic Collection Munich).
Running from May 2nd to June 8th, 2025, this focused showcase delves into Richter's masterful drawings. The selection of 81 drawings, alongside a single strip painting and an edition, promises an intimate encounter with the artist's process and his exploration of line, form, and texture, elements often overshadowed by the scale and impact of his larger canvases. This exhibition presents a rare opportunity to appreciate the nuanced subtleties of Richter's draftsmanship, a cornerstone of his artistic development.
Looking ahead to the latter part of the year and into 2026, the "20 Jahre Gerhard Richter Archiv" exhibition at the Gerhard Richter Archiv in Dresden offers a broader perspective. Celebrating twenty years of the archive's existence (December 13th, 2025 – March 15th, 2026), this event is likely to offer a retrospective overview of Richter's life and work, drawing upon the vast resources housed within the archive. This will provide a unique opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of Richter's career, contextualizing his artistic achievements within a broader historical and cultural framework. Expect insightful documentation, perhaps including photographs, correspondence, and sketches – material that sheds light on the artist's creative journey and influences.
These two exhibitions, though geographically separated and differing in scope, represent complementary aspects of Richter's legacy. The Munich exhibition offers an intimate engagement with a specific medium, while the Dresden exhibition provides a broader, more contextualized perspective. Together, they serve as compelling reminders of Richter's enduring artistic significance and his profound impact on the art world. Fans of Richter's work, art historians, and anyone interested in 20th and 21st-century art should consider these events essential additions to their cultural calendar. Further information about these exhibitions, including opening times and ticketing details, can be found on the respective museum websites and other official channels.
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