Signal for the Nationalgalerie's Museum of the 20th Century: The Gerhard Richter Art Foundation and the SPK conclude a long-term loan agreement for 100 works
Press release from 11/08/2021
Gerhard Richter is donating an extensive collection of 100 works to the Nationalgalerie for the Nationalgalerie's Museum of the 20th Century. From 2023, works by the artist will initially be on display in the Neue Nationalgalerie and later in the new building at the Kulturforum - also in cooperation with the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
A long-term loan agreement between the Gerhard Richter Art Foundation and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation was signed today in Cologne. From the beginning of 2023, 40 works and 60 overpainted photographs will be curated by the Nationalgalerie. These include individual works such as "Besetztes Haus" (1989), but also important glass and mirror works such as "Spiegel grau" (1991) and serial painting series from his late work such as "4,900 Farben" (2007), "Strip" (2013) and abstract works from recent years. The four-part cycle "Birkenau" (2014) is the central work of the long-term collaboration and was already on display in a special exhibition at the Alte Nationalgalerie until the beginning of October. Due to its scope and its eminent significance for the history of Germany, this cycle will then be on permanent display at the Kulturforum in the buildings of the Nationalgalerie of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin from 2023.
The works will initially be on display in the Graphic Cabinet of the Neue Nationalgalerie, but will then move to a separate room dedicated to Gerhard Richter on the upper floor of the Museum of the 20th Century by architects Herzog & de Meuron, which is currently under construction.
The works by Gerhard Richter are to be presented in a meaningful context with the Nationalgalerie's collection and represent an ideal complement to the Nationalgalerie's collection of contemporary art and other private loans. The Nationalgalerie intends to organise regularly changing presentations for this space in order to continually offer new perspectives on Gerhard Richter's work.
The agreement is also linked to a co-operation with the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, where Gerhard Richter's work archive is housed and where further works are to be presented permanently on loan. In addition to an intensive exchange of information, the aim is to regularly loan works by Gerhard Richter.
Gerhard Richter says: "Having been able to realise a lifelong dream with the Foundation, it is a gratifying honour that these works will find a home in Berlin."
Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation: "Sabine Moritz-Richter, Gerhard Richter and the former director of the Nationalgalerie, Udo Kittelmann, carefully and steadily initiated the special cooperation that we are signing today years ago. For the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and its National Museums, and for the Nationalgalerie in particular, this long-term loan is not only an honour, it is an incentive to make the Berlin Kulturforum a place where 20th century art can not only be viewed, but where it can stimulate, irritate and trigger debates that constantly open up new perspectives. Gerhard Richter's works belong in this city and I am sure that they will become a lasting centre of attraction for many visitors."
Joachim Jäger, Managing Director of the Nationalgalerie and Director of the Neue Nationalgalerie, adds: "100 works by Gerhard Richter for Berlin - it is and remains a sensation. Hardly any other artist has characterised the development of recent art history as much as Gerhard Richter. The large collection intended for Berlin allows a deep and broad insight into the essential themes and discourses that are evoked by his artistic work. The "Birkenau" cycle plays a central role. This work, which is also particularly important for Gerhard Richter himself, not only keeps the memory of the Holocaust alive, but also repeatedly raises the question of how to deal with this unprecedented crime against humanity.".
Press photos:https://www.preussischer-kulturbesitz.de/newsroom/presse/pressebilder.html