Art Quote by Gerhard Richter
“There was no special event that made me decide. I had collected some photos and the idea was in the back of my mind for a long time. It was growing and growing, so finally I said, 'I must paint this.' I come from East Germany and am not a Marxist, so of course at the time I had no sympathy for the ideas, or for the ideology that these people represented. I couldn't understand, but I was still impressed. Like everyone, I was touched. It was an exceptional moment for Germany.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art and Memory, 2005
The artist describes how a long‑standing, vague inspiration finally compelled him to create a painting, despite ideological doubts, reflecting personal and national history.
In simple terms: A lingering idea finally became a painting, despite political concerns.
Key Takeaway
Let ideas mature before acting.
Themes
inspiration
history
art
identity
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
personal
historical
artistic
When to use this quote
- gallery opening
- public lecture
- art education
- cultural reflection
Key Concepts
memory
politics
personal narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal memories shape creative work?
- When should artists confront uncomfortable histories?
A Different Perspective
The decision may be delayed by uncertainty or fear of controversy.
![“When I got the opportunity to do the new wing [the Schauhaus] for the German Historical Museum, for instance, I didn't see it as an opportunity for my own ego, to do something so exciting that every architectural publication would want to put it on the cover. I accepted it because I knew it was…” quote by I. M. Pei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/89d/i-m-pei-21076_accepted_when-i-got-the-opportunity-to-do-the-new_284075.jpg)
