Gerhard Richter Retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton: A Grand Survey of Over Six Decades of Artistic Innovation
From October 17, 2025, to March 2, 2026, the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris will present an extraordinary retrospective exhibition dedicated to Gerhard Richter—one of the most influential and celebrated contemporary artists of our time. This monumental show features 270 works spanning from 1962 to 2024, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore more than six decades of Richter’s dynamic and diverse artistic career.
An Unmatched Retrospective in Scale and Scope
This comprehensive exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton marks one of the most significant presentations of Richter’s work to date. It encompasses a wide range of mediums including oil paintings, glass and steel sculptures, pencil and ink drawings, watercolors, and overpainted photographs. This inclusive approach not only highlights Richter’s mastery of various artistic techniques but also emphasizes his continuous experimentation and boundary-pushing vision.
The exhibition is housed across all galleries of the Fondation, reflecting the magnitude of Richter’s artistic production and his profound engagement with materiality and perception. The show includes seminal works such as Uncle Rudi (1965), Gudrun (1987), Woman Reading (1994), and Self-Portrait (1996), presenting a nuanced narrative of his evolving styles—from figurative to abstract and photo-based art.
For more details, you can visit the official Fondation Louis Vuitton Gerhard Richter exhibition page.
Gerhard Richter: A Life Shaped by History and Artistic Innovation
Born in Dresden in 1932, Richter fled East Germany in 1961 to settle in Düsseldorf and later Cologne, where he currently works. His journey through history translates into art that dialogically reflects themes of memory, representation, and abstraction. Richter famously avoids painting directly from nature; instead, photographs and drawings serve as intermediaries from which he constructs new realities on canvas.
Richter’s rigorously layered technique, including his signature “blur” effect, invites viewers into a space where clarity dissolves into ambiguity, challenging perceptions of image and truth. His work defies singular classification, ranging from photorealism to abstract expressionism, constantly evolving over time.
Revisiting Richter’s Artistic Legacy
Following the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s tradition of landmark exhibitions dedicated to key figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko, and David Hockney, this Richter retrospective continues their commitment to celebrating visionary artists who have shaped 20th and 21st-century art.
Art platforms such as ArtDependence have praised the exhibition for its “exceptional size and chronological scope,” noting how it captures Richter’s constant dialogue between painting and photography, abstraction and figuration.
Why This Exhibition is a Cultural Highlight for 2025-2026
The retrospective not only offers art aficionados, collectors, and scholars a detailed overview of Richter’s career but also invites the public to engage with complex questions about the nature of image making in contemporary art. It’s a must-see event for those interested in modern artistic innovation, as well as for anyone eager to witness firsthand the work of an artist profoundly influential in shaping visual culture.
The timing is especially notable, coinciding with Art Basel Paris 2025, drawing global attention to Paris as a vibrant center for contemporary art.
Visual and Experiential Highlights
Visitors to the exhibition can expect an immersive experience enhanced by the Fondation’s iconic architecture and innovative exhibition design. The display of overpainted photographs alongside richly textured oil paintings offers a visual contrast that encapsulates Richter’s exploration of media and form.
High-quality images and previews of key works are available on the Fondation Louis Vuitton Instagram account and through cultural media coverage on platforms like FAD Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When and where is the Gerhard Richter retrospective held?
The exhibition runs from October 17, 2025, to March 2, 2026, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.
Q2: How many works are included in the retrospective?
The show features 270 works covering a period from 1962 to 2024.
Q3: What types of artworks are on display?
The exhibition includes oil paintings, sculptures in glass and steel, pencil and ink drawings, watercolors, and overpainted photographs.
Q4: What periods of Richter’s career does the exhibition cover?
It covers over six decades, showing his early figurative pieces, photo-based work, and recent abstract and sculptural pieces.
Q5: Where can I find more information about the exhibition?
See the Fondation Louis Vuitton official site and art news sites like ArtDependence or FAD Magazine.
Q6: Is this Richter’s first major retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton?
Richter was featured in the Fondation’s inaugural 2014 collection presentation, but this 2025 event is the most ambitious and comprehensive retrospective to date.
Gerhard Richter’s retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton represents a landmark moment in contemporary art, demonstrating how his prolific and versatile work continues to resonate globally. This exhibition is set to be one of the must-visit cultural events of 2025-2026, shedding light on a master artist’s journey through history, innovation, and profound artistic inquiry.