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three panels of a room divider with black and white paint on thema black box that is open on a white surface
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1263 - Richter, Gerhard
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Estimate €2,400 - €3,200
Sale commission
Description
Richter, Gerhard Grey Images. 1974. Exhibition catalogue in cassette form, made of cardboard. Richter spray-painted each lid with grey anti-rust paint, making each one a unique piece within a series. The box contains a separate folded sheet with an untitled text by Johannes Cladders and a leporello featuring 12 illustrations (black offset prints). Dimensions: approx. 20.5 x 16 x 2.7 cm. Butin, Hubertus / Gronert, Stefan / Olbricht, Thomas: Gerhard Richter – Editions 1965–2013, Ostfildern 2014, WVZ No. 54. – Unique piece in a limited series. Published by the Städtisches Museum Mönchengladbach to mark the exhibition ‘Graue Bilder’ (4 December 1974 to 12 January 1975). From a total print run of 330 unsigned copies. - The box is early evidence that Richter regarded the ‘Graue Bilder’ as a body of work in its own right. It presents grey as a conceptual premise rather than merely one colour amongst others. According to the catalogue raisonné, the prototype of the box is signed in pencil and labelled ‘Grau’ on the reverse. The word ‘Grau’ thus serves as the title for the entire project. The Graue Bilder were created between 1968 and 1976 and mark a turning point in Richter’s development. Even the photographic paintings of the 1960s were tonally restrained, as their source material consisted of black-and-white photographs. According to Lempertz, the series began with an attempt to overpaint failed works in a destructive yet creative manner. Richter mixed black, white, brown and blue to create subtle shades of grey. He applied them with a brush, palette knife or roller, so that the paintings differ markedly in their brushwork and surface texture. The accordion-folded pages are slightly discoloured at the edges. Edges show minimal scuffing in places. Fold-out sheet with minimal soiling. Case with a minimal crease mark on the edge. Slight soiling. The lid was sprayed by Richter with grey anti-rust paint, making each copy a unique piece in the series. The cassette contains a separate folded sheet with an untitled text by Johannes Cladders and a leporello with 12 illustrations (black offset prints). A unique piece in the series. Published by the Städtisches Museum Mönchengladbach to mark the exhibition ‘Graue Bilder’ (4 December 1974 to 12 January 1975). From a total edition of 330 unsigned copies. – The cassette is an early indication that Richter regarded the Grey Paintings as a body of work in its own right. It presents grey as a conceptual statement rather than as one colour amongst others. According to the catalogue raisonné, the prototype of the box is signed in pencil and inscribed ‘Grau’ on the reverse. The word ‘Grau’ thus serves as the title of the entire project. The Grey Paintings were created between 1968 and 1976 and mark a turning point in Richter’s development. Even the photo paintings of the 1960s were tonally restrained, as their source images were black-and-white photographs. According to Lempertz, the series began with an attempt to paint over failed works in a manner that was both destructive and regenerative. Richter mixed black, white, brown and blue to create subtle shades of grey. He applied them with a brush, spatula or roller, so that the paintings differ markedly in their brushwork and surface texture. Leporello with minimal browning at the margins. Edges partly with very minor creasing. Folded sheet with minimal soiling. Cassette with a minimal crease at the edge. Slight soiling. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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