The artwork, “Lilies,” created by Gerhard Richter in the year 2000, belongs to the New European Painting movement and falls under the figurative genre.
“Lilies” presents a blurred depiction of a bouquet of lilies, which appears to be placed in a glass vase. The flowers’ contours and hues seamlessly blend into each other, producing a dreamy, almost ethereal effect. The background is composed of dark and rich tones, which serve to contrast the lighter colors of the flowers and vase—enhancing their prominence within the composition. The use of blurring techniques creates a sense of motion or the passage of time, lending a dynamic yet serene quality to the still life. The shadow cast by the bouquet extends across the surface, adding depth and grounding the scene in a palpable reality. This interplay between abstraction and figuration is a hallmark of Richter’s painterly approach, effectively captivating the viewer’s gaze.
