German artist Gerhard Richter donates works to support the homeless

The German painter Gerhard Richter is donating works to a charity supporting the homeless.

He is providing five autographed prints based on his famous 1982 oil painting "Candle," Dirk Kästel, from the homeless aid association Kunst hilft geben (Art Helps Give), told dpa in Cologne on Tuesday.

The pictures are to be auctioned to raise funds for the charity. In 2023, a slightly smaller candle print by Richter fetched €99,000 (about $116,000).

Proceeds from the sale will be used to finance food, clothing and sleeping bags, as well as to help fund the construction of a new homeless shelter, Kästel said. This shelter will provide living space for 35 women and eight young people. 

"With Richter's art donation, we can help many homeless people in winter. This is a great Christmas present for us."

Richter, whose works rank among the most expensive in the world, lives and works in Cologne. He will turn 94 on February 9.