Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods

At the turn of the twentieth century, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) created a body of work that left visible reality behind, exploring the radical possibilities of abstraction years before Vasily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, or Piet Mondrian. Her work from this period was that of a young artist of her time who meticulously observed the world around her. But, like many of her contemporaries, af Klint was also interested in the invisible relationships that shape our world, believing strongly in a spiritual dimension. She joined the Theosophical Society and, with four fellow female members who together called themselves "The Five," began to study mediumship. Between 1906 and 1915, purportedly guided by a higher power, af Klint created 193 individual works that, in both scale and scope of imagery, are like no other art created at that time. Notes and Methods presents facsimile reproductions of a wide array of af Klints early notebooks accompanied by the first English translation of af Klint's extensive writings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

At the dawn of the 20th century, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) embarked on a creative journey that transcended the confines of visible reality, pioneering the realm of abstraction years before her contemporaries Vasily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, or Piet Mondrian. Widely regarded as the first trained artist to create abstract paintings, af Klint's artistic odyssey is documented in her own words through the book Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods.

Hilma af Klint's educational journey began at the Royal Swedish Academy in Stockholm, where she was part of the pioneering cohort of female students. Initially, her artistic focus was rooted in capturing the essence of landscapes and intricate botanical studies. Her early works reflected the meticulous observations of a young artist keenly attuned to the world around her. However, af Klint's curiosity extended beyond the visible realm, prompting her to delve into the invisible threads that shaped our existence. She became a member of the Theosophical Society, a group dedicated to exploring spiritual dimensions, and alongside four fellow female members, known as "The Five," she delved into the study of mediumship.

Between 1906 and 1915, af Klint embarked on a remarkable artistic odyssey, purportedly guided by a higher power. During this period, she created an astounding 193 individual works that defied the conventions of art at the time. These works, characterized by their immense scale and visionary imagery, showcased a unique abstract language that combined botanical inspiration, mystical symbols, diagrams, words, and geometric series. It is worth noting that these abstract techniques would not resurface for several decades, making af Klint's contributions all the more pioneering.

Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods offers a captivating glimpse into the artist's early notebooks, accompanied by the first English translation of her extensive writings. The book features facsimile reproductions of these notebooks, providing a rare opportunity to delve into the creative process of a visionary artist. Among the treasures included are the rarely seen "Blue Notebooks," hand-painted and annotated catalogues af Klint created to document her most famous series, "Paintings for the T.," which she believed to be channeled messages from a higher spiritual realm.

Through her artistic journey, Hilma af Klint pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, paving the way for future generations of abstract artists. Her pioneering work not only revolutionized the art world but also left an indelible mark on the spiritual and philosophical landscape of her time. Hilma af Klint's legacy continues to inspire and intrigue artists, scholars, and enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the boundless possibilities of artistic exploration.

Weight: 1020g
Dimension: 196 x 258 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226591933
Edition number: Annotated ed