7 November 1995 1995

Gerhard Richter made this painting, titled 7 November 1995, with oil on canvas. Look closely: notice how the turquoise paint seems to drip down the canvas, and how the gold is scratched away to reveal the colors underneath. Richter often used squeegees to manipulate paint, allowing chance and gravity to influence the final composition. In this work, the surface is a mix of textures. The turquoise paint is thin and glossy, contrasting with the rough, matte gold. The revealed colors underneath add depth and complexity, as if the painting has a history, layers of memory peeking through. See that mark near the top, a horizontal streak of gold interrupted by black lines? It's like a horizon line, disrupted and reformed by the act of painting. Thinking about the way Richter embraces chance, I can't help but think of Francis Picabia, and his playful irreverence toward process. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art isn't about answers; it's about asking questions and embracing the unexpected.