Hilma af Klint, a Swedish painter whose visionary art predated the recognized birth of abstract painting, found deep inspiration in spirituality, mysticism, and philosophical teachings. Among the many influences that shaped her unique approach to art and consciousness, the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg played a particularly significant role. Swedenborg, an 18th-century Swedish scientist turned spiritual thinker, offered a detailed metaphysical system that resonated with Hilma af Klint’s inner quest. Her connection with Swedenborg’s ideas was not only intellectual but also experiential, guiding the purpose and structure of her artistic practice. This connection between Hilma af Klint and Swedenborg offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of spiritual abstraction in modern art.
Who Was Hilma af Klint?
Hilma af Klint was born in 1862 in Solna, Sweden. She studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, where she mastered conventional techniques and exhibited traditional landscapes and portraits. However, her artistic journey took a sharp turn toward the metaphysical in the late 1890s, following the death of her sister and her increasing involvement in spiritualist circles.
She became part of a group known as ‘The Five’ a collective of women who engaged in séances and spiritual exploration. Through this group, Hilma began receiving what she described as messages from higher beings or spiritual guides. These communications inspired her to create a radically new visual language that reflected the unseen forces of the universe.
The Influence of Emanuel Swedenborg
Spiritual Philosophy and Visionary Worlds
Emanuel Swedenborg, born in 1688, was a Swedish theologian, philosopher, and mystic. He is best known for his detailed accounts of the spiritual realm, which he claimed to have visited during divine visions. According to Swedenborg, the spiritual and physical worlds are intricately connected, with every physical form corresponding to a deeper spiritual truth.
Hilma af Klint was drawn to this idea of correspondence, where symbols and colors could serve as bridges between visible and invisible realms. Swedenborg’s emphasis on order, hierarchy, and the symbolic meaning of natural forms resonated strongly with Hilma’s pursuit of a structured spiritual universe in her paintings.
Science and Mysticism Combined
Swedenborg was unique in that he combined scientific rationality with mystical experience. Before his spiritual awakening, he was a respected scientist and inventor. This fusion of scientific inquiry and metaphysical vision influenced Hilma af Klint’s approach. She saw her art not merely as emotional expression but as a form of spiritual research a visual system that mapped higher dimensions of existence.
Hilma af Klint’s Spiritual Practice
The Role of Mediumship
Hilma did not see herself solely as a creator but as a channel. Through her spiritual exercises and mediumistic practices, she believed she was receiving instructions from otherworldly entities. These entities, often referred to as ‘The High Masters,’ guided the content, form, and even scale of her work.
Her paintings were not impulsive or chaotic. They were meticulously planned, often grouped into series with thematic continuity. This method echoed Swedenborg’s belief in divine order and the systematic nature of spiritual truth.
Structure and Symbolism
Many of Hilma’s works are filled with symbolic elements geometric shapes, spirals, intersecting lines, and color contrasts. These were not decorative choices but representations of spiritual dualities, life cycles, and cosmic energies. She used symbolic colors intentionally, often pairing masculine and feminine energies or representing spiritual ascent.
- Blue and yellowfrequently represented female and male principles.
- Spiralssymbolized evolution and transformation.
- Circles and trianglesdenoted unity and higher spiritual forms.
This symbolic system shares parallels with Swedenborg’s doctrine of correspondences, where earthly forms reflect divine principles.
The Temple Series and Swedenborgian Vision
One of Hilma af Klint’s most ambitious projects was The Paintings for the Temple a series of nearly 200 works created between 1906 and 1915. These paintings were meant to be displayed in a spiraling temple that symbolized spiritual enlightenment. The structure of the imagined temple reflected Swedenborg’s concept of ascending toward divine realms through stages of spiritual purification.
Within these paintings, themes such as human development, the soul’s journey, and cosmic harmony are expressed through abstract visuals. While these concepts appear esoteric, they were grounded in the Swedenborgian belief that spiritual truths could be revealed through symbolic systems.
Legacy and Rediscovery
Art Ahead of Its Time
Hilma af Klint’s abstract work predates the recognized pioneers of abstraction like Kandinsky, Mondrian, and Malevich. However, she kept much of her work hidden during her lifetime, convinced that the world was not yet ready to understand it. She left instructions that her spiritual paintings should not be shown for at least 20 years after her death.
It wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that her contributions were fully acknowledged. Exhibitions at major institutions like the Guggenheim Museum in New York have finally brought her to international attention, sparking renewed interest in the connection between spiritual practice and modern art.
Swedenborg’s Enduring Presence
Swedenborg’s influence continues to resonate through Hilma af Klint’s growing reputation. His writings, once considered niche or obscure, are gaining relevance among scholars and creatives seeking alternative perspectives on consciousness and reality. The bridge between Swedenborg and Hilma af Klint represents a unique fusion of Swedish intellectual and spiritual heritage that is now being rediscovered globally.
Contemporary Relevance
In today’s world, where science, art, and spirituality increasingly intersect, Hilma af Klint’s work feels more relevant than ever. Her belief that art could convey spiritual knowledge speaks to a growing movement toward holistic understanding. The use of abstraction as a means of exploring inner worlds aligns with modern explorations of consciousness, psychology, and metaphysics.
Swedenborg’s ideas also fit within contemporary discussions about the nature of reality and multidimensional existence. For artists, philosophers, and seekers alike, the conversation between Hilma af Klint and Swedenborg opens a space for new interpretations and creative experimentation.
The connection between Hilma af Klint and Emanuel Swedenborg reveals a deep and intellectually rich lineage of spiritual thought expressed through visual language. Her pioneering artwork, rooted in Swedenborgian principles, demonstrates how metaphysical ideas can inspire radical creative breakthroughs. As we continue to explore the intersections of art, spirituality, and science, their shared legacy serves as a guiding light an invitation to look beyond the visible and listen to the deeper rhythms of the universe.