“1025 Colors” (1974) by Gerhard Richter, reproduction on paper

Gerhard Richter, born on February 9, 1932, in Dresden, is undoubtedly one of the most important contemporary artists of the 20th century. His works are characterized by diversity and a spirit of experimentation, which have made him an internationally renowned painter. In 1966, Richter made a groundbreaking discovery that would fundamentally change his artistic practice: color swatch cards. These cards are usually used by manufacturers to represent and select different shades of color. But for Richter, they were much more than that—they became his source of inspiration. Fascinated by the countless possibilities of color combinations, Gerhard Richter began meticulously copying the patterns on the cards. This resulted in a kind of visual diary of his thoughts and ideas on the subject of color. But he didn't simply reproduce the patterns faithfully; rather, he used them as a starting point for his own compositions. With each new work, Richter rearranged the color fields—sometimes harmoniously side by side, sometimes wildly jumbled together, or even arranged in strict geometric patterns. In this way, he created fascinating visual symphonies full of vibrant contrasts and tension-filled compositions. An outstanding example of this is his work "1974," painted with lacquer on canvas. It is now in the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark. The work is number 354 in Richter's extensive catalogue raisonné and is an impressive testament to his creative power.