Gerhard Richter: Hidden Gems – Works from Rhenish Private Collections at Düsseldorf’s Kunstpalast
6. September 2024‘Gerhard Richter: Hidden Gems – Works from Rhenish Private Collections’ presents the large-format ‘Fenster’ (204), which symbolically opens the visitor’s view of the exhibition at Düsseldorf’s Kunstpalast. It brings together more than 120 works by Richter – paintings, as well as drawings, watercolours, overpainted photographs and sculptures. The exhibition offers a diverse selection of themes: photo paintings based on newspaper clippings, cityscapes and cloudscapes, square colour fields, and remarkable, often underappreciated grey paintings and impressive abstract works in various sizes and colour intensities. Nevertheless, it is emphasised that this is not a retrospective, but an exhibition of works spanning all creative phases – from the early 1960s to the last decade.
Many of the exhibited works have rarely or even never been shown in public. It is a remarkable achievement by curator Markus Heinzelmann that he was able to bring these works together for the exhibition at the Kunstpalast. The Rhineland, and Düsseldorf in particular, is undoubtedly the ideal location for this presentation. After all, it was here that Gerhard Richter first gained a foothold after moving from Dresden in 1961, studied at the Academy of Art and, not least thanks to the support of dedicated Rhineland collectors, was able to become an internationally recognised artist.
People have always enjoyed collecting – be it berries, coins, or art. The Rhinelanders were particularly keen on the latter, which led to the region developing into one of the most important centres of private collecting in Germany in the 18th century. This tradition continued in the 20th century with prominent collectors such as Peter Ludwig, Hans Grothe and Karl Ströher. Later, Sylvia and Ulrich Ströher also joined the illustrious ranks of art collectors. Together they shared an interest in the Düsseldorf art scene, especially in the works of Gerhard Richter. Richter received support from collectors such as Ströher, Ludwig and Grothe early on in his career. Some of the works acquired by Rhineland collectors at the time, including ‘Kuh’ (15) and ‘Helen’ (25), are also featured in the current exhibition.
From the 1980s onwards, in addition to the numerous private collectors, companies also began to buy art; mostly for representational purposes and sometimes as a speculative investments. Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH from Duisburg was the first to do so, acquiring several paintings for its collection. Victoria Versicherungs AG in Düsseldorf commissioned ‘Victoria I’ (601) and ‘Victoria II’ (602) in 1986 – two huge canvases that can be viewed as part of the exhibition in the foyer of today’s ERGO Group AG, just a few metres from the Kunstpalast.
From 1985 Richter had his first exhibitions with Marian Goodman and Sperone Westwater in the USA, and from 1988 he was represented by Anthony d’Offay in Great Britain. This international recognition not only expanded his clientele but also caused the prices of Richter’s works to skyrocket. Many of the Rhineland collectors who had been instrumental in his career up to that point were no longer able to compete with the steadily rising prices and withdrew. Some continued to acquire his works but kept their collecting activities private.
The tradition of collecting art continues, but today only a few collectors show their activities openly, among them Thomas Olbricht, who is represented in the exhibition with numerous works, including ‘Zwei Grau übereinander’ (143-2), ‘Stadtbild’ (224-8) or two ‘Skizzen zu Parkstück’ (320-1 and 320-2).
‘Gerhard Richter: Hidden Gems’ is an outstanding exhibition that will remain in people’s memories for a long time to come. It offers a rare opportunity to see these great works before they disappear back into private collections.
