Hilma af Klint's Abstract Legacy Explored in New Publication and Exhibitions
Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) began her journey into large non-representational art in 1906, drawing inspiration from theosophical texts by Rudolf Steiner. Her will stipulated that these creations should remain private for two decades after her death. The first public showcase occurred in 1986 at the "On The Spiritual in Art" exhibition in Los Angeles, followed by a display at New York's Drawing Center in 2005. A significant solo exhibition later traveled through Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. The 2015 publication "Hilma af Klint: The Art of Seeing the Invisible," edited by Kurt Almqvist and Louise Belfrage, features 42 color plates, though it does not provide dimensions or locations. While some regard her work as groundbreaking abstraction, others question its classification as spiritual diagrams.
Key facts
- Hilma af Klint created non-figurative works starting in 1906.
- Her abstract art was inspired by Rudolf Steiner's theosophy.
- Af Klint's will kept her abstractions private for 20 years after her death.
- Her work was shown in Los Angeles in 1986 and New York in 2005.
- A solo exhibition toured Sweden, Germany, and Denmark.
- A 2015 book documents a symposium with 19 essays.
- The book includes 42 color plates but lacks dimensions and locations.
- Massimiliano Gioni featured her art in the 2013 Venice Biennale.
Entities
Artists
- Hilma af Klint
- Rudolf Steiner
- Vassily Kandinsky
- Kazimir Malevich
- Piet Mondrian
- Piero della Francesca
- Raphael
- J. W. Goethe
- Massimiliano Gioni
Institutions
- Drawing Center
- Venice Biennale
- Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation
- Marsilio Editori
- artcritical
Locations
- Sweden
- Germany
- Denmark
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Venice
- Italy
- Stockholm