Townscape M2 1968

Gerhard Richter made this gray townscape painting, titled Townscape M2, sometime during his career. The limited palette of grays here is so interesting, isn't it? Richter reduces everything to shades, emphasizing form and light. It’s like he’s asking us to see the world anew, to strip away the colors and find the essence of the scene. Look at how he handles the paint. It's not about hiding the brushstrokes; instead, they’re part of the image, building up the texture. The way he applies the paint is direct, almost blunt, but there's also a sensitivity in the way light catches those thick strokes. See the way the edges of the buildings are defined with the lightest shades, giving definition and bringing them forward? It reminds me a little bit of Giorgio Morandi’s still lifes, that same quiet observation and distillation of form. Art isn't about answers, but about opening up a space for us to think and feel.