Gerhard Richter

Abstracting the abstraction is what Gerhard Richter the painter is so good at.

He's an image-making monster, but reserved, self-effacing.

In his book, "Gerhard Richter, The Daily Practice of Painting--Writings 1962-1993" (MIT Press, 1998), there's an interview with Richter that has this exchange:

     Q: What reason is there for continuing to paint?

     A:  Money

Watching Richter work,which is allowed in the movie called Gerhard Richter, it becomes clear that Richter doesn't like being watched. The paintings he is making at the time he is being watched and filmed for the movie are large abstractions on which he applies paint mainly with a large leveling instrument that he manuevers over the canvas skillfully, using two hands. Think of a giant windshield wiper as made by Charles Ray.

Richter apparently cleans his own tools, which is admirable considering his status and his age.