Hilma af Klint

Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was a pioneering Swedish artist, recognized posthumously for her groundbreaking contributions to abstract art. Born on October 26, 1862, in Solna, Sweden, af Klint's artistic journey initially embraced more traditional landscape and portrait painting, but she is best remembered for her radical departure into non-representational works that predated the acknowledged pioneers of abstraction. Af Klint's profound interest in spiritualism and theosophy deeply influenced her artistic vision. In the early 20th century, she became part of a group called "The Five," which engaged in séances and mystical practices. This engagement led her to embark on an extraordinary series known as "Paintings for the Temple," begun in 1906—a body of work that consisted of over 100 large-scale, highly symbolic paintings characterized by bold colors, geometric shapes, and esoteric themes—years before Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich are generally credited with creating the first abstract artworks. Throughout her lifetime, af Klint kept much of her most innovative work private, believing that the world was not yet ready to understand its significance. Her paintings often integrated complex systems of symbols, inspired by both natural sciences and metaphysical ideas, reflecting her belief in the interconnectedness between the visible and invisible realms. Despite her trailblazing role in abstract art, af Klint received little recognition during her lifetime, primarily exhibiting landscapes and botanical drawings that adhered to more conventional styles. After her passing on October 21, 1944, her abstract oeuvre remained largely unseen until the 1980s when it began to be rediscovered and critically reassessed. Today, Hilma af Klint is celebrated as a visionary artist whose work challenges the linear narrative of art history and has had a lasting impact on the development of modern abstraction. Her influence extends beyond her time, inspiring contemporary artists and scholars to reconsider the origins and meaning of abstract art within the broader context of spiritual and philosophical inquiry.