Gerhard Richter (1932) - Seestück II (1970)

Gerhard Richter: Seestück II, 1970
Signed by hand. One of the early editions from Richter's famous Seestück series.

Hardly a motif is more associated with Gerhard Richter than his Seestücke. Between 1969 and 1970, the sea paintings of the series were created, in which Richter confronted the sublime of Romantic landscape painting with the sober gaze of photography. How highly this group of works is valued today is shown by the painting “Seestück (leicht bewölkt)” from 1969, which sold at Christie’s in 2012 for over 19 million US dollars. The edition “Seestück II” was created in direct connection with this series and belongs to Richter’s earliest and most sought-after prints.

The motif
A rough sea under a heavy, cloud-covered sky, the horizon placed right in the center of the image. What seems like a single, witnessed moment is constructed: Richter assembled the picture from photographs of the Canary Islands, with sky and sea drawn from different shots. The source can be found in the “Atlas”, Richter’s lifelong image archive (Atlas Sheet 184, Seestücke, Photo Collages, 1969). Thus, “Seestück II” is a key example of Richter’s central question: how much truth lies in an image that looks like reality?

The print in the four colors yellow, red, blue and black creates the typical, slightly dislocated coloration of early phot painting; the deep black background frames the depiction and makes the cool blue of the sea glow particularly intensely.

Catalogue raisonné and Offset Edition
Gerhard Richter, Editions, Catalogue Raisonné No. 31.
Color offset with black background, hand-signed by the artist.

Signature
In the lower right, hand-signed in black felt-tip pen “Richter”. A close-up of the signature is attached.

Technique and dimensions
Color offset in yellow, red, blue and black with black background on textured half-card.
Sheet size: ca. 59.5 x 45 cm
Image: ca. 53.5 x 44 cm
Unframed.

Provenance
Private collection, Germany

Exhibitions and literature on the edition
The edition was already shown in 1970 in the exhibition “Gerhard Richter. Graphic Art 1965 to 1970” at the Museum Folkwang, Essen, and is depicted in the catalogues raisonné of the editions 1965 to 2004 and 1965 to 2013. Most recently, it was shown in 2017 in “Gerhard Richter: The Editions” at the Museum Folkwang.

Certificate
The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Condition
Overall in very good condition with strong, unmatted colors. The black background is sensitive due to the material; please note the detail photos. We have taken photos from different lighting angles to reflect realistic colors.

Shipping
Insured art shipping with acid-free interleaf to protect the sensitive black area. International shipping available. We ensure professional packing (primarily by MBE).

Note
Please bid only if you genuinely intend to purchase the sheet. Every bid is binding and obliges timely payment on winning via Catawiki. The condition is described in detail and documented with close-up photos, including wear on the black image ground. Please carefully review all photos before placing your bid and feel free to ask questions beforehand; we will respond promptly and, if desired, provide additional shots.