The Secret Knowledge of Zebrafish (1999) marks the climax of Richter’s early abstract period. Exploding with magentas, blues, and greens, the canvas combines sprayed enamel, hand-painted loops, and stenciled grids in a riotous orchestration of color and motion. The work evokes a science-fiction-like space that dissolves familiar perception, immersing the viewer in a universe of fluid forms and chaotic order. Art historian Eva Meyer-Hermann described this series as “wisdom unfurled in front of itself,” capturing Richter’s attempt to expand painting to its limits—transforming rebellion into a symphony of material and vision.