Townscape D 1968

Gerhard Richter’s “Townscape D” (1968) is a painting that is part of the artist’s “Townscapes” series which depicts cityscapes and buildings from a bird’s eye view. The artist utilizes a gray and white color palette and thick impasto brushstrokes to create a textured, abstract representation of the city, which reflects the artist’s interest in abstract expressionism. This painting captures a sense of movement and energy, as the viewer’s eye is drawn through the intricate patterns of buildings and structures. It is a prime example of the artist's use of the squeegee technique, in which he applies paint to the canvas using a squeegee, resulting in an almost photographic realism.