Abstraktes Bild by Gerhard Richter

Why It Matters

The offering provides collectors a scarce chance to own a never‑seen Richter masterpiece, underscoring soaring Asian appetite for post‑war abstract art and potentially resetting price benchmarks for his work.

Key Takeaways

• First public auction of Richter's 1991 'Abstraktes Bild'
• Painting remained unseen since 1991 solo exhibition
• Part of 20th/21st Century Evening Sale in Hong Kong
• Highlights strong Asian demand for post‑war abstract art
• Expected to set benchmark price for Richter's abstracts

Pulse Analysis

Gerhard Richter’s abstract oeuvre, especially works from the early 1990s, has become a barometer for the health of the high‑end contemporary market. "Abstraktes Bild" exemplifies his layered squeegee technique, where scraped pigments reveal hidden hues beneath a dominant red field. Critics view this period as a synthesis of painterly gesture and controlled abstraction, positioning the piece as both a visual and tactile experience that transcends traditional representation.

The upcoming auction in Hong Kong signals a strategic shift toward Asian venues for premier Western art. By debuting the painting at The Henderson’s 20th/21st Century Evening Sale, the house taps into a burgeoning collector base eager for post‑war masterpieces. The limited preview from March 24 to 27 adds exclusivity, while the auction date on March 27 creates a tight window for bids, heightening competitive pressure among institutional and private buyers.

Market analysts anticipate that the rarity of a never‑exhibited Richter work will drive a premium price, potentially establishing a new reference point for his abstract canvases. A strong sale could reinforce the narrative that Asian markets are now pivotal in determining global price trajectories for legacy artists. Collectors seeking both aesthetic significance and investment upside will closely monitor the outcome, as it may influence future consignments of similar high‑profile works.

Original Description

Stand before this painting and you are instantly immersed — fire, power and passion spread out in a single charged field.

Painted in 1991, at the heart of his Abstract period, 'Abstraktes Bild' by Gerhard Richter draws you into a blanket of red. Richter builds, scrapes and reveals – leaving every gesture of his squeegee just beneath the surface, where layers of colours escape through openings and crevices. It is not just a painting of image, but of sensation.

Coming to auction for the first time, the painting has been never shown in public since its reveal at Richter’s solo exhibition at Galerie Liliane & Michel Durand-Dessert in 1991. Abstraktes Bild takes centre stage in our 20th/21st Century Evening Sale, come and experience it at our galleries from 24 to 27 March.

Gerhard Richter (b. 1932)

‘Abstraktes Bild’, 1991

📍 Preview:

24–27 March, 10:30am – 5:30pm

6/F, The Henderson, Hong Kong

📅 Auction:

27 March, 20th/21st Century Evening Sale

The Henderson, Hong Kong