Hilma af Klint

Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was a pioneering Swedish artist who is now celebrated as a visionary figure in the development of abstract art. Born in Stockholm, af Klint demonstrated artistic talent from an early age and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1887. Her early works were largely naturalistic, comprising landscapes, botanical illustrations, and portraits, in keeping with the academic tradition of the time. However, it was her later, radically experimental work that would secure her place in the annals of art history.

Af Klint was deeply interested in spirituality, Theosophy, and later Anthroposophy, movements that sought to explore the mysteries of existence beyond the material world. Her spiritual pursuits had a profound influence on her artistic output. In 1896, she formed a group known as “The Five” (De Fem) with four other women artists, who conducted séances and explored spiritual communication through art. Af Klint believed that her paintings were guided by higher powers or spirits, and she saw herself as a medium transmitting messages through her art.

Between 1906 and 1915, af Klint created her most significant body of work, a series known as “The Paintings for the Temple.” This ambitious project comprised over 190 large-scale, vibrant canvases filled with abstract shapes, symbols, and colours. These works predated the abstract compositions of renowned male artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, and Piet Mondrian, challenging the conventional narrative of abstract art’s origins. Af Klint’s paintings are marked by their bold use of geometry, organic forms, and a distinct visual language, all imbued with spiritual significance.

Despite her groundbreaking achievements, af Klint’s work remained largely unknown during her lifetime. She rarely exhibited her abstract pieces, believing the world was not yet ready to understand their meaning. In her will, she stipulated that her abstract works should not be shown until at least twenty years after her death. It was not until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that her contributions began to be recognised, culminating in major exhibitions at institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Serpentine Galleries in London.

Today, Hilma af Klint is hailed as a trailblazer of modern art, her visionary approach and spiritual quest continuing to inspire artists and audiences alike.