The artwork titled “Youth Portrait (October 18)” was created by Gerhard Richter in 1988. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece measures 67 x 62 cm and belongs to the New European Painting movement. This portrait is part of the “18. Oktober 1977 (1988)” series.
The artwork portrays a blurred, monochromatic image of a young individual, emphasizing shadow and light to create a somewhat ethereal, fleeting representation. The softness of the brushstrokes, paired with the indistinct features of the subject, reflects Richter’s complex engagement with memory, history, and the perception of reality within his oeuvre. The dark background enhances the sense of solitude and introspection surrounding the youthful figure, encapsulating a poignant moment of contemplation or remembrance.
