If one looks at the large-format square townscapes [CR: 171, 175–177-3, 249–251], specific features of the artistic execution can be discerned.

In Townscape Madrid [CR: 171] streets, trees and buildings are clearly structured and easily recognisable. Some townscapes which were painted a little later on, such as Townscape Paris [CR: 175], Townscape D [CR: 176] and versions of Townscape F [CR: 177/1-3] and Townscape PL [CR: 249–251], appear to have been painted more quickly and less precisely; many details vanish due to the gestural and pastose application of paint. In Townscape Paris in particular, it is difficult to distinguish streets from houses.

Because of the missing details, the large-format cityscapes recall aerial photographs of post-war bombed-out cities – a parallel which Gerhard Richter himself draws in retrospect: "When I look back on the townscapes now, they do seem to me to recall certain images of the destruction of Dresden during the war."¹

Gerhard Richter's artistic examination of figuration and abstraction in the townscapes also seems to play with distances: from afar the pictures can easily be identified as cityscapes, however, should the beholder move closer to the painting, the depiction dissolves into expanses and strokes of white, grey and black.

The artist plays with the viewer's urge to identify what is depicted, and it seems as if Richter himself tries to fathom when the image ceases to be recognisable.
Richter describes his preoccupation with bird’s-eye views of cities as "abandonment of the concept of interesting content and illusionistic painting; a spot of paint should be a spot of paint, and the motif needn't have a message or allow for interpretation."² Nevertheless, in this series Gerhard Richter does not completely depart from his originally concrete motifs, as underlined by the choice of the descriptive title Townscape.

¹ Comments on some works, 1991 in: Gerhard Richter: Text. Writings, Interviews and Letters 1961–2007, Thames & Hudson, London, 2009, p. 262
² 'Work Overview', 1968 in: Gerhard Richter: Text, p. 53

Notes prepared by editorial team

Froehlich Collection, Stuttgart, Germany

This artwork is based on an image included in Atlas:

Städte
Cities 1968 Atlas Sheet: 119 edit

This Atlas sheet includes the source images of the following works:

This artwork is included in the following publications:

		Title		Author		Date
Issue 01 January 2017 Publisher Duke University Press, Durham Details Softcover, 163 pages ISBN 9780822370017 Language English Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 115-117		Unconsolable Contemporary: Observing Gerhard Richter		Rabinow, Paul edit		2017
Issue 01 January 2017 Publisher Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Details Hardback, 159 pages ISBN 9781921503870 Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 154 Illustrated: p. 113 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia, 2017		Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images		Hawker, Rosemary edit		2017
Issue 01 January 2017 Publisher The New York Review of Books, New York Details Softcover, 276 pages ISBN 9781681370866 Language English Category Monographs Artwork Discussed: pp. 131		Typewriters, Bombs, Jellyfish: Essays		McCarthy, Tom edit		2017
Issue 01 January 2017 Publisher The National Gallery in Prague, Prague Details Softcover, 205 pages ISBN 9788070356463 Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Discussed: pp. 68 Illustrated: p. 69 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter, Národní galerie v Praze (National Gallery), Prague, Czech Republic, 2017		Gerhard Richter		Elger, Dietmar / Fajt, Jiří edit		2017
Issue 01 January 2012 Publisher Édition du Centre Pompidou, Paris Editor Godfrey, Mark / Serota, Nicholas / Brill, Dorothée / Morineau, Camille Details Hardback, 304 pages ISBN 978-2844265746 ISBN 284426574X Language French English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 75, 89, 207, 296 Discussed: pp. 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81 Illustrated: p. 91 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France, 2012		Gerhard Richter, Panorama: une rétrospective = a retrospective		Godfrey, Mark / Serota, Nicholas / Brill, Dorothée / Morineau, Camille / Borchardt-Hume, Achim / Dickson, Amy / Haidu, Rachel / Mehring, Christine edit		2012
Issue 01 January 2012 Publisher Prestel, München Editor Godfrey, Mark / Serota, Nicholas / Brill, Dorothée / Morineau, Camille Details Hardback, 305 pages ISBN 9783791351896 Language German Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 75, 207, 296, 74-79, 89 Illustrated: p. 91 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama, Neue und Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 2012		Gerhard Richter: Panorama: Retrospektive		Godfrey, Mark / Serota, Nicholas / Brill, Dorothée / Morineau, Camille / Borchardt-Hume, Achim / Dickson, Amy / Haidu, Rachel / Mehring, Christine edit		2012
Issue 01 January 2011 Publisher Marsilio, Venezia Details Softcover, 219 pages ISBN 9788831711128 Language Italian Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 71, 118		Il bordo del mondo: La forma sguardo nella pittura di Gerhard Richter		Garbin, Emanuele edit		2011
Issue 01 January 2011 Publisher Tate Publishing, London Details Softcover, 288 pages ISBN 1854379453 ISBN 978-1854379450 Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 296 Discussed: pp. 75 (74-78) Illustrated: p. 91 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France, 2011  Gerhard Richter: Panorama, Neue und Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 2011  Gerhard Richter: Panorama, Tate Modern, London, UK, 2011		Gerhard Richter: Panorama: A Retrospective		Godfrey, Mark / Serota, Nicholas / Brill, Dorothée / Morineau, Camille / Borchardt-Hume, Achim / Dickson, Amy / Haidu, Rachel / Mehring, Christine edit		2011
Issue 01 January 2010 Publisher Tate Publishing, London Details Softcover, 96 pages ISBN 9781854379641 Language English Category Monographs Artwork Discussed: pp. 65-69 Illustrated: p. 66 (b/w) In this publication, eminent American scholar and curator Robert Storr offers an authoritative consideration of September, Richter’s 2005 painting made in response to the attacks on the WorldTrade Center of 11 September 2001, ... More Details		September. A History Painting by Gerhard Richter		Storr, Robert edit		2010
Issue 01 January 2009 Publisher University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL Details Hardback, 408 pages ISBN 9780226203232 Language English Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 158, 163, 201 Illustrated: p. 159 (b/w) Gerhard Richter has been widely regarded as a publicity shy artist. However, the biography Gerhard Richter. A Life in Painting gives an insight into Richter’s personal history as well as into the development of his artistic œuvre. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter. A Life in Painting		Elger, Dietmar edit		2009
Issue 01 January 2008 Publisher Hatje Cantz Verlag, Ostfildern-Ruit Details Hardback, 160 pages ISBN 3775722483 Language German Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 137 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Abstract Paintings, Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany, 2008  Gerhard Richter: Abstract Paintings, Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany, 2008  The book was published on the occasion of the exhibition Gerhard Richter. Abstrakte Bilder at Museum Ludwig, Cologne and Haus der Kunst, Munich. The exhibitions were dedicated to Gerhard Richter’s abstract pictures ... More Details		Gerhard Richter: Abstrakte Bilder		Wilmes, Ulrich / Buchloh, Benjamin H. D. / Söntgen, Beate / Stemmrich, Gregor edit		2008
Issue 01 January 2008 Publisher Hatje Cantz Verlag, Ostfildern-Ruit Details Hardback, 160 pages ISBN 9783775722490 Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 137 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Abstract Paintings, Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany, 2008  The book was published on the occasion of the exhibition Gerhard Richter. Abstrakte Bilder at Museum Ludwig, Cologne and Haus der Kunst, Munich. The exhibitions were dedicated to Gerhard Richter’s abstract pictures ... More Details		Gerhard Richter. Large Abstracts		Wilmes, Ulrich / Buchloh, Benjamin H. D. / Söntgen, Beate / Stemmrich, Gregor edit		2008
Issue 01 January 2008 Publisher DuMont, Köln Details Softcover, 415 pages ISBN 9783832190651 Language German Category Monographs Notes Corrected and extended new edition. Artwork Mentioned: pp. 225 Discussed: pp. 181, 182 Illustrated: p. 183 (b/w) Gerhard Richter has been widely regarded as a publicity shy artist. However, the biography Gerhard Richter, Maler gives an insight into Richter’s personal history as well as into the development of his artistic œuvre. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter, Maler		Elger, Dietmar edit		2008
Issue 01 January 2007 Publisher DuMont, Köln Details Hardback, 400 pages ISBN 9783832190163 Language German Category Group Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 370 Exhibitions 52nd Venice Biennale, 2007  50th Venice Biennale: Painting 1964–2003: From Rauschenberg to Murakami, Museo Correr, Venice, Italy, 2007  49th Venice Biennale, 2007  47th Venice Biennale, 2007  41st Venice Biennale, Giardini, Venice, Italy, 2007  39th Venice Biennale, Giardini di Castello, Venice, Italy, 2007  38th Venice Biennale, 2007  36th Venice Biennale, German Pavilion, Venice, Italy, 2007		Die deutschen Beiträge zur Biennale Venedig, 1895-2007		Zeller, Ursula edit		2007
Issue 01 January 2006 Publisher Hatje Cantz, Ostildern-Ruit Details Hardback, 224 pages ISBN 9783775717243 Language German Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 59 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Portraits, Museumsberg Flensburg, Flensburg, Germany, 2006  Gerhard Richter. Portraits is the first publication that focuses solely on Richter’s portraits, many of which have now gained both recognition and veneration across the globe. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter. Portraits		Gronert, Stefan / Butin, Hubertus edit		2006
Issue 01 January 2005 Publisher Richter Verlag, Düsseldorf in association with D.A.P Distributed Art Publishers, New York, NY Details Hardback, 323 pages ISBN 9783937572208 ISBN 978-3937572208 Language German Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 25, 26 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich, Germany, 2005  Gerhard Richter, K20 Grabbeplatz, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Germany, 2005  This catalogue raisonné records Richter’s works in the years 1999-2004. In his work, Gerhard Richter calls into question painting's boundaries, and the labels applied to painting and theories connected with them. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter. Werkverzeichnis 1993-2004		Zweite, Armin edit		2005
Issue 01 January 2005 Publisher Richter Verlag, Düsseldorf in association with D.A.P Distributed Art Publishers, New York, NY Details Hardback, 324 pages ISBN 9783937572215 ISBN 393757221X Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 27 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich, Germany, 2005  Gerhard Richter, K20 Grabbeplatz, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Germany, 2005  This catalogue raisonné records Richter’s works in the years 1993-2004. In his work, Gerhard Richter calls into question painting's boundaries, and the labels applied to painting and theories connected with them. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter. Catalogue Raisonné 1993–2004		Zweite, Armin edit		2005
Issue 01 January 2002 Publisher DuMont, Köln Details Hardback, 420 pages ISBN 9783832158484 Language German Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 201, 250 Illustrated: p. 202 (b/w) Gerhard Richter has been widely regarded as a publicity shy artist. However, the biography Gerhard Richter, Maler gives an insight into Richter’s personal history as well as into the development of his artistic œuvre. ... More Details		Gerhard Richter, Maler		Elger, Dietmar edit		2002
Issue 01 January 1999 Publisher Hatje Cantz, Ostfildern-Ruit Details Hardback, 216 pages ISBN 3775790217 Language German Category Group Exhibitions Notes Published on the occasion of the opening of the Museum of New Art, ZKM Karlsruhe on 04.12.1999 Artwork Illustrated: p. 65 (colour) Exhibitions Re-Opening, ZKM, Museum für Neue Kunst, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1999		KunstSammeln		Adriani, Götz edit		1999
Issue 01 January 1999 Publisher Gli Ori, Prato Details Softcover, 205 pages ISBN 8887700079 Language Italian English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 16, 30, 169, 171, 179, 181 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter, Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci, Prato, Italy, 1999		Gerhard Richter		Corà, Bruno / Buchloh, Benjamin H. D. / Chevrier, Jean Francois / Moscati, Italo edit		1999
Issue 01 January 1998 Publisher Insel-Verlag, Frankfurt a. M. Details Softcover, 172 pages ISBN 345833937X Language German Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 53, 54		Gerhard Richter, 18. Oktober 1977. Eine Kunst-Monographie		Hemken, Kai-Uwe edit		1998
Issue 01 January 1996 Publisher Hatje Cantz Verlag, Ostfildern-Ruit Details Hardback, 311 pages ISBN 3893228608 Language English German Category Group Exhibitions Artwork Discussed: pp. 38, 48 Exhibitions Frieder Burda Collection: Gerhard Richter. Sigmar Polke. Arnulf Rainer, Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden, Germany, 1996		Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, Arnulf Rainer. Sammlung Frieder Burda = Collection Frieder Burda		Poetter, Jochen / Brehm, Margrit / Möckel, Birgit edit		1996
Issue 01 January 1991 Publisher Tate Publishing, London Details 144 pages ISBN 9781854370846 Language English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 27, 126 Illustrated: p. 50 (colour) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter, Tate Gallery, London, UK, 1991		Gerhard Richter		Rainbird, Sean / Severne, Judith edit		1991
Issue 01 January 1989 Publisher Verlag Fred Jahn, München Details Hardback, 236 pages Language German Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 12 Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Atlas of Photographs, Collages and Sketches, Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany, 1989  Gerhard Richter: Atlas of Photographs, Collages and Sketches, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich, Germany, 1989		Gerhard Richter: Atlas		Zweite, Armin edit		1989
Issue 01 January 1986 Publisher DuMont, Köln Details Softcover, 402 pages ISBN 3770117727 Language German English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 38, 39, 369 Illustrated: p. 73 (b/w) Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Paintings 1962–1985, Museum moderner Kunst/Museum des 20. Jahrhunderts, Vienna, Austria, 1986  Gerhard Richter: Paintings 1963–1986, Kunsthalle Bern, Bern, Switzerland, 1986  Gerhard Richter: Paintings 1962–1985, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 1986  Gerhard Richter: Paintings 1962–1985, Städtische Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany, 1986		Gerhard Richter. Bilder = Paintings 1962 - 1985		Harten, Jürgen / Hering, Karl-Heinz / Honisch, Dieter / Loock, Ulrich / Ronte, Dieter / Elger, Dietmar edit		1986
Issue 01 January 1981 Publisher DuMont, Köln Details Softcover, 524 pages ISBN 377011292X Language German Category Group Exhibitions Artwork Illustrated: p. 479 (b/w) Exhibitions Western Art: Contemporary Art since 1939, Rheinhallen, Cologne, Germany, 1981		Westkunst. Zeitgenössische Kunst seit 1939		Glozer, Laszlo edit		1981
Issue 01 January 1972 Publisher Museum Folkwang, Essen Details Hardback, 154 pages Language Italian German English Category Solo Exhibitions Artwork Mentioned: pp. 10-11, 39 Illustrated: p. 65, 76 (b/w) Exhibitions 36th Venice Biennale, German Pavilion, Venice, Italy, 1972		Gerhard Richter. 36. Biennale di Venezia, Padiglione tedesco = 36. Biennale in Venedig, Deutscher Pavilion = 36. Biennale in Venice, German Pavilion		Honisch, Dieter / Helms, Dietrich / Honnef, Klaus / Ohff, Heinz / Dienst, Rolf Gunther / Schön, Rolf / Polke, Sigmar edit		1972
Issue 01 January 1970 Publisher Droste, Düsseldorf Details Softcover, 228 pages Language German Category Monographs Artwork Mentioned: pp. 228 Illustrated: p. 196 (b/w)		Noch Kunst. Neuestes aus deutschen Ateliers		Dienst, Rolf-Gunter edit		1970

This artwork is shown or mentioned in the following videos:

Works September Robert Storr 2009   edit

Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama Mark Godfrey 2011   edit

Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama Udo Kittelmann, Dorothée Brill 2012   edit

Exhibitions Gerhard Richter: Panorama Camille Morineau 2012   edit