Hilma af Klint may not have been a household name during her lifetime, but her influence on abstract art is nothing short of revolutionary. Painting decades before Kandinsky and Mondrian, Klint was a true pioneer, creating vivid, geometric works infused with spiritual meaning. However, convinced the world wasn’t ready for her vision, she kept much of her art hidden, leaving it to be rediscovered by future generations. Today, her work is celebrated for rewriting the narrative of modernism and abstract art. In this article, we’ll explore ten fascinating facts about Hilma af Klint, from her artistic innovations to the challenges she faced in her time.

...

1. She Was A Pioneer of Abstract Art Before Kadinsky

In 1906, Hilma af Klint began creating abstract works that defied artistic conventions of her time. These bold, non-representational pieces predated Wassily Kandinsky’s first recognized abstract compositions by several years. Unlike her contemporaries, whose works often stemmed from aesthetic experimentation, Klint’s paintings were deeply rooted in spirituality and symbolism. She viewed her art as a medium to express higher realms of consciousness, blending geometry, colour, and form into groundbreaking visual language.

Three Panel Orange, by Hilma af Klint

Despite her innovative approach, Klint’s name was long excluded from the early narratives of abstract art. The male-dominated art world of the 20th century championed figures like Kandinsky, Mondrian, and Malevich as the movement’s founders. It wasn’t until the rediscovery of her work decades later that her contributions began to reshape our understanding of abstract modernism. Today, Klint’s art is celebrated as a powerful challenge to traditional art history, earning her a rightful place among its most revolutionary figures.

2. Her Work Was Deeply Influenced by Her Spirituality

Klint’s abstract art was deeply rooted in her spiritual beliefs, which she described as an exploration of unseen energies and higher consciousness. Influenced by movements like Theosophy and Rosicrucianism, she sought to connect the physical and spiritual worlds through her paintings. Her work often reflected metaphysical concepts, with recurring themes of duality, cycles of life, and universal harmony.

Primordial Chaos, by Hilma af Klint

This commitment to spirituality is especially evident in her series Primordial Chaos. The swirling forms, vibrant colours, and geometric elements in these paintings illustrate her quest to represent the invisible forces she believed governed the universe. Through her art, Klint created a visual language that transcended traditional religious symbolism, aiming instead to capture the essence of the spiritual in a modern context.

3. She Belonged To A Secret Spiritual Group

In 1896, Klint co-founded The Five, a secret spiritual group comprising Anna Cassel, Cornelia Cederberg, Sigrid Hedman, and Mathilda Nilsson. Together, they conducted séances, automatic drawing sessions, and spiritual exercises to communicate with what they referred to as “High Masters”—guiding spirits they believed offered wisdom and inspiration. This deeply collaborative practice allowed Klint to channel ideas that would eventually form the foundation of her abstract work.

The Buddah's Standpoint in the Earth, by Hilma af Klint

For Klint, the practices of The Five were more than just spiritual exploration—they were a source of creative innovation. She credited the group’s sessions as instrumental in unlocking her ability to translate metaphysical messages into visual art. These early experiments with automatic drawing would later evolve into her signature abstract style, setting her apart as a pioneer in the field.

4. She Created an Entire Series for a Spiritual Temple 

Between 1906 and 1915, Hilma af Klint embarked on an ambitious project titled The Paintings for the Temple, comprising 193 works organised into several thematic series. This collection was intended for a spiral-shaped temple, symbolising the journey of spiritual ascension. The temple was to serve as a sanctuary where viewers could engage deeply with the artworks, facilitating a transformative experience.

Altarpiece No. 1, by Hilma af Klint

One of the central series within this collection is The Ten Largest, created in 1907. Each painting, towering over three meters high, represents different stages of human life—from childhood to old age—depicted through vibrant colours and abstract forms. These monumental works reflect Klint’s desire to convey the cyclical nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all life.

5. She Left Behind Over 1,000 Works

Hilma Klint’s dedication to her artistic vision resulted in an extensive body of work, comprising over 1,200 paintings and sketches created during her lifetime. This prolific output included not only her monumental abstract series, such as The Paintings for the Temple, but also intricate drawings, notebooks, and writings that documented her spiritual explorations and artistic process.

Many of these works remained hidden from public view for decades. Klint meticulously organized and preserved her creations, leaving detailed instructions in her will to ensure their protection. Her foresight and commitment to her art ensured that these pieces would one day be discovered, offering future generations a window into her groundbreaking vision.

6. Her Work Was Rediscovered Decades Later 

Hilma Klint’s abstract creations remained largely unknown during her lifetime. It wasn’t until 1986 that her work began to gain significant attention. A pivotal moment was the exhibition “The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890–1985” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which featured her paintings and introduced them to a broader audience. This posthumous recognition has since led to numerous exhibitions worldwide, reestablishing Klint’s place as a pioneer in abstract art.

Doves No. 2, by Hilma af Klint

7. She Was Formally Trained as an Artist 

Hilma Klint received formal artistic education, a notable achievement for a woman in the late 19th century. She began her studies at Tekniska skolan (now Konstfack) in Stockholm, focusing on portraiture and landscape painting. In 1882, she was admitted to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where she studied drawing, portraiture, botanical illustration, and landscape painting, graduating with honours in 1887.

Her academic training provided her with a solid foundation in traditional art forms, which she later transcended through her innovative abstract compositions. Klint’s education not only honed her technical skills but also exposed her to various artistic movements and philosophies, influencing her unique approach to art.

8. Nature Was a Key Inspiration

Klint’s deep connection with nature profoundly influenced her artistic vision. From an early age, she spent summers on the island of Adelsö in Lake Mälaren, where she developed a fascination with the natural world. This environment fostered her interest in botany and the study of organic forms, which became central themes in her work.

The Swan No. 17, by Hilma af Klint

Her early artistic endeavors included detailed botanical illustrations, reflecting her scientific approach to understanding plant life. These studies not only honed her observational skills but also deepened her appreciation for the intricate patterns and structures found in nature. This influence is evident in her abstract compositions, where she often incorporated floral motifs, spirals, and other organic forms to symbolise growth, evolution, and the interconnectedness of life.

9. Her Guggenheim Retrospective Was Groundbreaking

In 2018, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York hosted Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future, a landmark retrospective that finally brought Klint’s groundbreaking work to international prominence. Featuring over 170 of her paintings and drawings, the exhibition challenged long-held narratives about the origins of abstract art, placing Klint at the forefront of the movement. The museum’s unique spiral structure beautifully complemented her vision for a spiritual temple, creating an immersive experience for visitors.

Ten Largest Adulthood No. 7, by Hilma af Klint

The retrospective became the Guggenheim’s most-visited exhibition in its history, attracting over 600,000 visitors. Critics and audiences alike praised her work for its bold colours, geometric forms, and spiritual undertones. This monumental exhibition prompted a re-evaluation of modern art history, highlighting how women like Klint played a critical role in shaping the abstract art movement.

10. She Was Overlooked Because of Her Gender

Despite her pioneering contributions to abstract art, Hilma Klint’s work was largely overlooked during her lifetime and for decades thereafter. A significant factor in this neglect was the prevailing gender biases of the early 20th-century art world, which often marginalized female artists in favor of their male counterparts. Consequently, artists like Klint did not receive the recognition they deserved, and their contributions were frequently omitted from mainstream art historical narratives.