25.2.94 1994

Gerhard Richter made this abstract painting, titled 25.2.94, with oil on canvas. At first glance, it might appear like a straightforward application of paint, but look closer and you'll see the artist's hand at work in a more complex way. Richter is known for his squeegee technique, where he drags a tool across the canvas, blurring and smearing the colors together. This method is not about careful brushstrokes; instead, it embraces chance and the unpredictable nature of the material. The oil paint, thickly applied, retains its inherent qualities, with texture, weight, and color all playing a crucial role in the final composition. What I find compelling is how this process challenges traditional notions of artistic skill. It’s less about the artist's virtuosity and more about engaging with the inherent properties of the medium, allowing the paint itself to dictate the outcome. It blurs the line between control and accident, elevating the materials and processes to center stage. It shows that the materials and methods are important in understanding a work.