Hilma af Klint

Paintings for the Temple

The Dove, No 1, 1915

  • 1906: higher being commissions af Klint to prepare an exhibit for humankind-visual representation of how the universe is put together
  • 1906-1915: af Klint begins her life’s work producing 193 paintings known as The Paintings for the Temple
  • Early works in series were created under direct guidance from spirits but later af Klint became more self-directed in her interpretations of messages
  • Paintings were to be exhibited in a circular temple to mimic a spiritual journey; viewer would be enlightened ascending to heavens
  • Paintings can also function as a map or guide of the universe

Pamela Buscema & Laiba Sarwar