Art Quote by Gerhard Richter
“What attracted me about my mirrors was the idea of having nothing manipulated in them. A piece of bought mirror. Just hung there, without any addition, to operate immediately and directly. Even at the risk of being boring. Mere demonstration. The mirrors, and even more the Panes of Glass, were also certainly directed against Duchamp, against his Large Glass.”
About This Quote
The quote celebrates pure, unaltered reflection as a counter to artistic manipulation, valuing simplicity and directness even if it seems dull.
In simple terms: Appreciating unadorned mirrors as honest, immediate objects.
Key Takeaway
Embrace simplicity and resist overcomplication.
Themes
simplicity
authenticity
art critique
minimalism
directness
Mood
contemplative
serene
critical
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- gallery installation
- contemporary art
- personal contemplation
Key Concepts
reflection
material honesty
anti‑Duchamp stance
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to experience something without added meaning?
- How can simplicity be both powerful and risky?
A Different Perspective
May simplicity become boring or lack engagement for some viewers.
![“We see it [the as-yet unseen, probable new planet, Neptune] as Columbus saw America from the coast of Spain. Its movements have been felt, trembling along the far-reaching line of our analysis with a certainty hardly inferior to that of ocular demonstration.” quote by William Herschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/44b/william-herschel-28349_america_we-see-it-the-as-yet-unseen-probable-new_93769.jpg)
