Gerhard Richter was born in Dresden on 9th February 1932 the first child of Horst and Hildegard Richter. A daughter Gisela followed four years later. They were many respects an average middle-class family: worked as a teacher at secondary school bookseller who liked to play piano.1 In interview with Robert Storr described his early family life 'simple orderly structured – mother playing piano father earning money.'2 1935 accepted teaching position Reichenau town which today is known Bogatynia Poland time located German province Saxony. Settling Reichenau drastic change for family accustomed vivid cultural larger Dresden.3 Yet it also move would keep largely safe from coming war. late 1930s conscripted into army captured by Allied forces detained prisoner war until Germany's defeat. 1946 he released returned had again relocated this Waltersdorf village Czech border. The post-war caused difficulties others. Horst’s return not that war-hero. Commenting period later life reflected: 'Horst shared most father's fate ... nobody wanted them.'4 2004 added: 'we so alienated we didn't know how deal each other.'5 former membership National Socialist Party all teachers been obliged join under Nazi regime made difficult him teaching. He eventually ended up working textile mill nearby Zittau before finding post administrator distance learning programme educational institution Dresden.6 has remarked mixture fondness frustration sadness excitement. reminisced about house born Grossenhainer Strasse Dresden: 'it far original Circus Sarrasani building where young boy I could see elephant stalls through cellar windows. remember my great-grandmother's sewing box armadillo skin man falling ladder something that according parents only seen.'7 Not much documented Richter's but talked experiences Waltersdorf: 'we moved new village automatically outsider. couldn't speak dialect on.'8 1942 because turned 10 old required ‘Pimpfen’ mandatory organisation children prepared them Hitler Youth. Later attended grammar Zittau dropped out. 'a highly gifted notoriously bad school'9 Dietmar Elger noting 'he even got poor grades drawing.'10 attending vocational instead studying stenography bookkeeping Russian. While too be drafted army during Second World War nonetheless deep impact experienced economic hardship personal loss: Hildegard's brothers Rudi Alfred sister Marianne died consequence 'It sad when mother's brothers fell battle. First one then other. I'll never forget women screamed'11 recalls. suffered mental health problems starved death psychiatric clinic.12 Even though Waltersdorf spared extensive bombing exposed to sheltered. Speaking Jan-Thorn Prikker said: 'the retreating soldiers convoys low-flying Russian planes shooting refugees trenches weapons lying around everywhere artillery broken down cars. Then invasion Russians ransacking rapes huge camp us kids sometimes barley soup.'13 As child military fascinated Richter: 'When soldiers came went them.'14 explained Storr: 'when you're twelve old little understand ideological hocus- pocus.'15 remembers woods trenches friends forgotten rifles they found around: 'I thought great. fascinated like kids.'16 bombings enduring impression 'in night everyone out onto street our 100 kilometres away. being bombed 'now moment!'17 Following Potsdam agreement end war area lived Soviet control. War profoundly changed face country into lasting effect education artistic practice. 1 Elger Richter Life Painting (translated Elizabeth M. Solaro) University Chicago Press London 2009 p.4. 2 Interview conducted assistance Catharina Manchanda April 21-23 2001. Cited Forty Years Museum Modern Art New York 2002 p.19. adds: artist recalls growing ordinary household struggling cope extraordinary pressures Socialism'. 3 describes drab locale steeped heavy industry' p.5. 4 Storr. 5 Jan Thorn-Prikker 2004. Text Thames & Hudson p.465. 6 footnote 6 p.358. 7 p.466. 8 p.375. 9 Jürgen Harten ed. Bilder Paintings 1962-1985 p.9. p.7. 11 pp.466-467. 12 p.6. 13 14 Anna Tilroe 1987. Ibid. p.197. 15 16 17