Hilma af Klint was a Swedish artist who is known for her pioneering role in the development of abstract art. Born in 1862, af Klint was the daughter of a naval captain and grew up in a household that valued scientific thinking and spiritual exploration. Despite being trained as a painter in the classical tradition, af Klint became increasingly interested in spiritualism and theosophy as she got older.
In the 1880s, af Klint became a member of the Stockholm Theosophical Society and began attending seances, where she claimed to have received messages from the spirit world. These experiences had a profound impact on her art, and she began to incorporate elements of spiritualism and theosophy into her work.
In 1906, af Klint had a series of visions that she believed were messages from the spirit world, instructing her to create a series of paintings that would serve as a visual representation of the spiritual principles outlined in the messages. She spent the next six years working on this series, which she referred to as the “Paintings for the Temple.”
The “Paintings for the Temple” series consists of 193 paintings, which af Klint intended to be displayed in a spiritual temple that she believed would one day be built. The paintings are abstract and symbolic, featuring geometric shapes and patterns that are intended to represent different spiritual concepts.
Af Klint’s spiritual beliefs were deeply influenced by theosophy, which is a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th century and is based on the belief that there is a universal wisdom that can be discovered through spiritual exploration. Theosophy emphasizes the idea that all religions are expressions of the same underlying spiritual truths, and that the ultimate goal of life is to discover and understand these truths.
Af Klint’s work was deeply personal and spiritual, and she intended it to be a way of expressing and exploring her own beliefs and experiences. Despite this, she was hesitant to share her work with the public, and it was not until 20 years after her death that her “Paintings for the Temple” series was exhibited for the first time.
Today, af Klint is recognized as a pioneering figure in the development of abstract art, and her work is celebrated for its unique blend of spirituality and artistic expression. While she may not be as well-known as some of her contemporaries, her contributions to the art world have had a lasting impact, and she continues to be an inspiration to artists and spiritual seekers alike.works, including posters, tote bags, t-shirts, tapestries and more
If you’re a fan of abstract art and spiritual exploration, you’ll love the unique blend of these two elements in af Klint’s work. Over in our product portfolio, we have a wide range of products available that feature her iconic paintings, including posters, tote bags, t-shirts, tapestries and more. No matter what your personal style is, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you in our collection. So why wait? Click through to browse our selection and find the perfect af Klint piece to add to your collection today!