In 1973, Gerhard Richter, a renowned contemporary painter, created the “Red – Yellow – Blue” group of paintings specifically for the entrance foyer of the BMW Group Headquarters in Munich. These monumental paintings have now been restored and are once again on display at their original location.

The BMW Group is committed to promoting culture and art, which is why they commissioned the comprehensive restoration of Richter’s iconic artwork. State-of-the-art technologies and techniques were used to restore the brilliance and intensity of the original colors while preserving Richter’s vision. The paintings are now presented in specially designed glass showcases that protect them from UV light and maintain the optimal temperature conditions.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate, expresses pride in presenting Richter’s paintings in a way that honors their significance. These artworks have been at the core of BMW’s commitment to international culture for the past 50 years, making them particularly meaningful to the company.

Richter’s artistic approach often involved creating paintings based on photographs of color samples that he personally mixed on a palette. The “Red – Yellow – Blue” paintings, created in 1973, represent the culmination of Richter’s exploration of the palette motif. These large-format paintings, previously only displayed in the foyer of the BMW Headquarters, showcase his mastery of combining the three primary colors on canvas.

Dr Matthias Mühling, director of the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau in Munich, highlights the significance of Richter’s exploration of painting’s possibilities and limits. By using the three primary colors, Richter delves into the essence of painting itself. His abstract and figurative works demonstrate how these two forms can inform and influence each other, challenging our understanding of painting.

The restoration of the three “Red – Yellow – Blue” paintings required the use of modern technologies and techniques. Over the years, the colors had lost their brilliance, and the restoration aimed to return the paintings to their original depth and unity. A team of experts, including art historians, material scientists, and restorers, meticulously worked on the paintings to ensure an authentic restoration process.

The restoration process involved conserving and restoring the original substance of the paintings, as well as using specially developed color blends to restore fine transitions and nuances. The result is a revival of Richter’s impressive work, with the original depth of color once again revealed.

The “Red – Yellow – Blue” paintings were first documented in the publication “Gerhard Richter. Red – Yellow – Blue. The Paintings for BMW” by Prestel Publishing in 2007. This volume explores Richter’s artistic development and raises questions about modernism and the transition to postmodernism. It also delves into the context of the paintings and their connection to the location, including the BMW Group plant, the Olympic grounds, and BMW Headquarters.