Gerhard Richter

Gerhard Richter's career is a rare achievement in the art world: he has been both a critical darling and a commercial powerhouse. His record at auction is unmatched among living artists, with several works selling for over $40 million. He has been the subject of major retrospectives at the world's most prestigious institutions, from MoMA to the Tate Modern. His influence on contemporary painting is profound, and his refusal to be pinned down has inspired generations of artists to explore the medium's possibilities. The sheer breadth of his work, from photorealistic portraits to vast abstract canvases, ensures his place in art history.