The artwork titled “Townscape” by Gerhard Richter, created in 1968, is a notable contribution to the “New European Painting” art movement. This cityscape piece is part of the series “Townscapes (1968-1970)” and exemplifies Richter’s exploration of urban environments.
The artwork presents a cityscape rendered with a dynamic interplay of abstract and representative elements. It demonstrates a spontaneous and expressive technique, with vigorous black and grey brushstrokes sweeping across a finely sketched outline of buildings. The controlled chaos of these broad strokes suggests movement and the transitory nature of urban life, while the underlying architectural drawings provide a structural framework. The juxtaposition of meticulous detailing and abstract overpainting creates a sense of depth and complexity, inviting viewers to perceive the cityscape as both a concrete reality and an ephemeral, ever-changing entity.
