It was the ultimate possible statement of powerlessness and desperation [Richter is referring to John Cage's famous 'Lecture on Nothing']. Nothing, absolutely nothing left, no figures, no color, nothing. Then you realize after you've painted three of them that one's better than the others and you ask yourself why is that. When I see eight pictures together I no longer feel that they're sad, or if so, they're sad in a pleasant way.

p. 95, note 28 - 'Doubt and belief in painting' (2003)