HANS RICHTER (1888-1976)

Hans Johannes Siegfried Richter, born in berlin in 1888, was an avant-garde artist renowned for his pioneering contributions to Dada painting, abstract film, and art history.

Settling in the United States in 1940, Richter expanded his oeuvre by producing a handful of sculptural jewelry pieces in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These designs WERE PRODUCED IN AN EDITION FOR GEM MONTEBELLO—INCLUDING the articulated 18k gold collar of 1967 and the geometric pendant brooch of 1971—translate his Dadaist sensibilities into wearable form. Using bold geometry, high-finish gold, and THE interplay of form and motion, Richter’s jewelry reflects the same spirit as his art, transforming fine jewelry into avant-garde expression.

RICHTER’S JEWELRY WAS INCLUDED IN THE SEMINAL EXHIBITION JEWELRY AS SCULPTURE AS JEWELRY, FEATURING WORK FROM THE COLLECTION OF JOANNE SONNABEND, AT THE INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART IN BOSTON IN 1973.

AS ONE OF THE LEADING FIGURES OF THE SURREALIST, DADA, AND EARLY ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST MOVEMENT, HIS PAINTINGS, FILMS, GRAPHIC POSTERS, AND BOOKS, can be found in museum collections all over the world.