His artistic approach favoured directness and weight. In works like Havenarbeider met hoofddeksel or Arbeiders aan het werk op boten in een haven, Richters captured the physical strain of manual labour. He used a sombre palette to describe the atmosphere of the Maas river and its bridges. His portraits, such as the study of F. Schmidt-Degener, show a similar focus on character over ornamentation. He avoided decorative flourishes, preferring to let the geometry of the city and the posture of his subjects speak for themselves.

Modern collectors value Richters for his unsentimental view of urban life. His prints offer a window into a specific era of Dutch history before the destruction of central Rotterdam in the Second World War. The graphic strength of his compositions, particularly his depictions of horses and harbour workers, fits well in contemporary interiors. These works provide a sense of history and structure without relying on nostalgia.