Townscape Ha 1968

"Townscape Ha" is a 1968 painting by German artist Gerhard Richter. The artwork depicts an aerial view of a city, with the buildings rendered in a stark black and white palette. Richter is known for his experimentation with photographic realism and abstract art, and this piece exemplifies his exploration of the blurred lines between representation and abstraction. The painting’s simplified form and stark contrasting colours create a sense of both familiarity and alienation, reflecting on the impersonal nature of modern urban life. The work is part of the "Townscapes" series, in which Richter reinterpreted architectural photographs to examine the relationship between photography and painting, and the way images are perceived.