A Strange Lostness that is Palpably Present: On Gerhard Richter’s ‘Cologne Cathedral Window’

Gerhard Richter’s ‘Cologne Cathedral Window’ embodies a paradoxical presence of absence, blending the sacred and profane through its abstract yet evocative form. This study deciphers how Richter’s work, installed in the cathedral’s choir, challenges traditional notions of religious art while resonating with the monument’s historical layers. By analyzing the window’s visual and symbolic dimensions—its interplay of light, color, and architectural context—the research reveals its role as a modern intervention that both honors and disrupts the cathedral’s heritage. The approach combines close formal analysis with contextual framing, situating Richter’s piece within the broader discourse on memory, modernity, and the preservation of cultural landmarks.

Weijers, W. (2016). A Strange Lostness that is Palpably Present: On Gerhard Richter’s ‘Cologne Cathedral Window’. Monuments & Memory: Christian Cult Buildings and Constructions of the Past, 381–392. https://doi.org/10.1484/m.acsha-eb.4.2018033