The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 22, 2025

Elizabeth II

1966

Gerhard Richter

(German, 1932-)
published by

Galerie h

Germany, 20th century
color offset lithograph
Sheet: 70 x 59.5 cm (27 9/16 x 23 7/16 in.); Image: 70 x 59.4 cm (27 9/16 x 23 3/8 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1998.74
© Gerhard Richter
Catalogue raisonné: Butin 5b
Location: Not on view

Description

At what point does a portrait of a public figure become unrecognizable? From across the gallery, this image of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II is likely easily identifiable. But as you get closer, the blurry halftone pattern emerges and seeing more detail is not possible. Gerhard Richter has explored a variety of photomechanical processes because of their “nonart” commercial use. Richter’s artwork is not about the source photograph or even the famous individual being pictured. The artist is fascinated by our perception of the image: starting with a recognizable person allows him to push the boundaries of that recognition.
  • Photographs in Ink. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 20, 2022-April 2, 2023).
    From Rembrandt to Rauschenberg: Recently Acquired Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 17-November 26, 2000).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; September 17 - November 26, 2000. "From Rembrandt to Rauschenberg: Recently Acquired Prints."
  • {{cite web|title=Elizabeth II|url=false|author=Gerhard Richter, Galerie h|year=1966|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1998.74