Gerhard Richter to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Richter fans. Speculation had been rife that creator of the “Birkenau” paintings is about to announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 94, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an artist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an artist-painter just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouGerhard

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouGerhard was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Gerhard Richter was unlike any other artist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouGerhard”
— @universalObserver, 23 May 2026

“Richter wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 23 May 2026

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