Through Sep 27
MoMA
In the spring and summer of 1919 and 1920, during an immersive period devoted to nature observation, Hilma af Klint created nearly daily studies of flowers. This exhibition highlights a newly acquired portfolio of her jewel-toned watercolors, revealing af Klint’s acute attention to the natural world’s cycles and abundance during the blooming season.
Departing from conventional botanical illustration, af Klint’s works uniquely combine meticulous floral renderings with geometric diagrams. For instance, a blooming sunflower is paired with concentric circles, while a marsh marigold is depicted alongside symmetrical spirals. These explorations represent an extension of her renowned abstract language, seeking to visually express the unseen essence “behind the flowers.” Through this approach, af Klint contends that close observation of nature exposes profound and ineffable truths about the human experience.
Conceived as a spiritual flora of Sweden’s plant life, af Klint’s portfolio functions as an atlas blending scientific inquiry and metaphysical insight. Her drawings engage in a dialogue between representation and abstraction, intertwining art and botany to affirm the interconnectedness of all living beings. As af Klint declared, her work demonstrates the intrinsic link between the botanical world and the realm of the soul.
