Gerhard Richter: 100 Works for Berlin

April 1, 2023 - 2026

The painter, sculptor and photographer Gerhard Richter has donated 100 of his works of art to the National Gallery in Berlin. Starting in March, visitors will have the opportunity to view these works in their entirety for the first time.

Gerhard Richter: Gemäldeserie «Birkenau»

Archive: A visitor walks past Gerhard Richter's Birkenau cycle from 2014. The work is based on four photographs that were secretly taken by prisoners of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp at the risk of their lives.

Neue Nationalgalerie Book tickets

The central work of the exhibition is the cycle "Birkenau" from 2014. Consisting of four large-format abstract paintings, the cycle is the result of Richter's long and deep examination of the Holocaust and its representability. The works are based on four photographs from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, which the artist transferred to the four canvases and then gradually painted over. With each layer of paint, the painted photographic template disappeared a little more, until finally it was no longer visible. The work also includes a large, four-part mirror placed opposite the four Birkenau paintings, creating another layer of reflection.

In addition to the Birkenau cycle, the Richter exhibition "100 Works for Berlin" will feature nearly 90 other works by the artist from several creative phases that are also part of the permanent loan, including "Besetztes Haus," "6 Stehende Scheiben," and "4.900 Farben." A large group of works from the impressive group of painted-over photographs will also be on display.

Exhibition: Gerhard Richter: 100 Works for Berlin
Location: Neue Nationalgalerie
Start: 1 April 2023
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 8 pm
Monday: closed
Admission Fee: €12, reduced fee €6
Tickets: Book online