Hilma af Klint’s visionary works, including *The Ten Largest* series, mark a transformative era in abstract art. Created between 1907 and 1908, these ten vibrant and expansive pieces chronicle human life through four stages: childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age. Each work is imbued with symbolic forms, vivid geometries, and organic shapes that reflect af Klint’s deep exploration of spiritualism, theosophy, and mysticism, seeking to bring the invisible into form. The piece shown here, *No. 5, Adulthood*, is a lush depiction of maturity and growth. Its swirling shapes and bold use of pinks and purples embody energy, vitality, and introspection.
Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) was a Swedish artist and one of the earliest pioneers of abstract art, predating the movement’s heralded figures like Kandinsky and Mondrian. A trailblazer rooted in both science and spiritual exploration, her work remained relatively unknown during her lifetime. Af Klint insisted her art was “for the future,” requesting it remain unseen until at least 20 years after her death. Her forward-thinking compositions and distinct visual style continue to resonate, reflecting her quest to connect art, higher consciousness, and the cycles of life. The Ten Largest series stands as a bold testament to her vision, merging the tangible with the metaphysical.
