Hilma af Klint

Gagea lutea (Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem), Pulmonaria officinalis (Common Lungwort), Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot), Draba verna (Common Whitlowgrass), Pulsatilla vulgaris (European Pasqueflower). Sheet 2 from the portfolio Nature Studies

April 24–30, 1919

Watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper from a portfolio of 46 drawings

Not on view

For each of the portfolio’s hundred plus blooms (and a few animals), af Klint inscribed the species’ scientific name, sometimes the Swedish common name, and the date of observation. These appear (with the common name in English) below each sheet, along with the spiritual idea, human character, or state of consciousness that she found in her subjects, as recorded in her notebooks. In-depth analysis of the relations among plant, diagram, and spirit and expanded writings by the artist are featured in the exhibition catalogue. Visit moma.org/afKlint to learn more.

Gallery label from

Hilma af Klint: What Stands Behind the Flowers, May 11, 2025–September 27, 2025

Medium Watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper from a portfolio of 46 drawings

Dimensions 19 5/8 × 10 9/16" (49.9 × 26.9 cm)

Credit Committee on Drawings and Prints Fund and gift of Jack Shear

Object number 376.2022.2

Portfolio Nature Studies

Department Drawings and Prints

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Hilma af Klint

Swedish, 1862–1944 47 works online

In November 1906 artist Hilma af Klint wrote, “The experiments I have undertaken...will astound humanity.” geometric and organic forms, af Klint invented a distinctive artistic language, now recognized as among that era’s earliest forays into abstraction .

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Hilma af Klint Hepatica nobilis (Hepatica), Corylus avellana (Common Filbert). Sheet 1 from the portfolio Nature Studies April 22–23, 1919

Anemone nemorosa (European Thimbleweed), Populus nigra (Lombardy Poplar), Salix caprea (Goat Willow). Sheet 3 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Hilma af Klint Anemone nemorosa (European Thimbleweed), Populus nigra (Lombardy Poplar), Salix caprea (Goat Willow). Sheet 3 from the portfolio Nature Studies May 2–5, 1919

Luzula campestris (Field Woodrush), Viola hirta (Hairy Violet), Viola odorata (Sweet Violet), Chrysosplenium alternifolium (Alternate-Leaf Golden Saxifrage), Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail), Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold), Ranunculus ficaria (Fig Buttercup), Carex sp. (Sedge). Sheet 4 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Hilma af Klint Luzula campestris (Field Woodrush), Viola hirta (Hairy Violet), Viola odorata (Sweet Violet), Chrysosplenium alternifolium (Alternate-Leaf Golden Saxifrage), Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail), Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold), Ranunculus ficaria (Fig Buttercup), Carex sp. (Sedge). Sheet 4 from the portfolio Nature Studies May 9–15, 1919

Anemone ranunculoides (Yellow Woodland Anemone), Ribes alpinum (Alpine Currant), Ribes uva-crispa (European Gooseberry), Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash), Populus tremula (European Aspen), Ribes nigrum (European Black Currant), Ribes rubrum (Red Currant). Sheet 5 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Hilma af Klint Anemone ranunculoides (Yellow Woodland Anemone), Ribes alpinum (Alpine Currant), Ribes uva-crispa (European Gooseberry), Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash), Populus tremula (European Aspen), Ribes nigrum (European Black Currant), Ribes rubrum (Red Currant). Sheet 5 from the portfolio Nature Studies May 16–21, 1919

Larix decidua (European Larch), Perizoma sp. (Rivulet Moth), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn), Acer platanoides (Norway Maple), Quercus robur (English Oak), Bombus lapidarius (Red-Tailed Bumblebee). Sheet 6 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Hilma af Klint Larix decidua (European Larch), Perizoma sp. (Rivulet Moth), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn), Acer platanoides (Norway Maple), Quercus robur (English Oak), Bombus lapidarius (Red-Tailed Bumblebee). Sheet 6 from the portfolio Nature Studies May 20–27, 1919

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From MoMA Design Store

The Five Lives of Hilma af Klint - Hardcover $35

Artist Crew Socks - Hilma af Klint $15

MoMA Artist Quote Totes - Hilma af Klint $12

Hilma af Klint: What Stands Behind the Flowers – Hardcover $60

Hilma af Klint Adulthood Framed Print $350

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