Farbschlieren 1969

Gerhard Richter, born in 1932, made this painting titled 'Farbschlieren'. Richter came of age in post-war Germany, a time of deep reflection on national identity and culpability. His work often grapples with the complexities of representation and memory. In 'Farbschlieren', we see a swirling vortex of pastel hues, each stroke distinct yet blending into a harmonious whole. It's tempting to read these colors as an expression of emotion, a dance between joy and melancholy. But Richter resists such easy interpretations. He once said, "I believe almost anything is justified in order to make something clear." Is he suggesting clarity can be found in abstraction, a way to bypass the weight of history and personal narrative? Or perhaps he gestures at the impossibility of representing the truth of experience? 'Farbschlieren' invites us to contemplate the nature of seeing, the power of color, and the lingering echoes of a tumultuous past. It leaves you to consider how abstract art engages with identity and remembrance.