Gerhard Richter: Atlas

by Gerhard Richter (Artist), Helmut Friedel (Editor)

This monumental and comprehensive publication maps the ideas, processes, life and times of one of the most important painters of our time. Conceived and closely edited by Gerhard Richter himself, Atlas cuts straight to the heart of the artist’s thinking, collecting more than 5,000 photographs, drawings and sketches that he has compiled or created since the moment of his creative breakthrough in 1962. Year by year, the images closely parallel the subjects of Richter’s paintings, revealing the orderly but open-ended analysis that has been so central to his art. Offering invaluable insight into Richter’s working process, this encyclopedic new edition, which completely revises and updates the rare, out-of-print 1997 edition and includes 147 additional plates, features 780 multi-image panels, each reproduced full page and in full color. Richter redefined the terms of contemporary painting as he looked to photography for a way to release painting from the political and symbolic burdens of Socialist Realism and Abstract Expressionism. From pictures of family and friends to images from the mass media, Richter’s photographs--sometimes found, sometimes original--have provided the basis for many of his paintings, often re-emerging in a luminous, monochromatic palette, and falling ambiguously between documentary and historical painting.

Genres: Art, Photography, Art and Photography

864 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

German visual artist. Richter has produced abstract as well as photorealistic paintings, and also photographs and glass pieces. He is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary German artists and several of his works have set record prices at auction.

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

In which the long slow burn of Richter’s genius is revealed, one panel at a time.

[Esther Hong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photography, 2008 - thanks, Ms Bashford.

[Stephen Schenkenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richter, quoted in "Atlas":

Do you know what was just great? — To notice that such a stupid, absurd little act like copying a postcard can result in a painting. And then the freedom to be able to paint what’s fun. Deer, aeroplanes, kings, secretaries. Not having to invent anything any longer, forgetting everything one understands by the concept of painting: colour, composition, spatial depth; and everything else that one knew and thought. That was suddenly no longer a prerequisite for art.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't spend all that much time with this book before getting it back to the library, but it's gotta be a five star just because it's an amazing documentation project of an amazing artist. Between having my day job and not having a studio at this point, I feel I don't really live with my art. Looking at "Atlas" (& "the Daily Practice") makes you realize how he lives and breathes the process of making art.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of material, photographic and compositional, from Gerhard Richter's world-touring Atlas exhibition. Fascinating source imagery, much of which turned up in his paintings, defines this beautiful and inspiring book.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

great detail of the artist's process - don't expect big colour plates of richter's work here, but do expect to have a greater understanding of what makes him tick.

[J'lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great night stand book, wonderful images and landscapes of unfurling histories.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to reexamine his work through the photographs. Some are perfectly ordinary, others show a lot of thinking. I especially like where he plans out exhibits.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, Susan, I'm trying...adding books.

My reveiw: You don't need anything but pictures

[Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

analog tumblr

[William Lazarus Wacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius. Hoarder.