Gerhard Richter's 1973 Statement on Painting's Survival After Photography

In 1973, Gerhard Richter made a pivotal declaration about his artistic approach, stating "I don't want to copy photos, I want to make them." This statement emerged during a period when Hyperrealism dominated contemporary art discourse, creating what Richter perceived as a reductive context. His comment directly addressed the fundamental challenge painting faced in maintaining relevance after photography's ascendancy. Rather than merely replicating photographic images, Richter sought to engage with photography's essence and processes to redefine painting's purpose. The statement clarifies the stakes Richter identified for painting's continued existence as a vital medium. By positioning himself against straightforward imitation, he proposed a more complex relationship between the two artistic forms. This perspective was documented in an article published on April 1, 1988, by artpress. Richter's formulation represents a significant intervention in debates about medium specificity and artistic authenticity during the late 20th century.