Evolution, No. 13, Group VI (1908)
Hilma af Klint's Evolution, No. 13, Group VI is a vibrant painting created in 1908 that showcases the convergence of spirituality and modern abstract art. As a member of 'The Five,' a group of women exploring theosophy, her work radiates symbolic imagery that anticipates modernist abstraction. Using a mix of tempera and gouache on paper, this piece exemplifies her innovative approach and profound understanding of spiritual concepts as captured through art.
Year 1908
About the Artwork
Evolution, No. 13, Group VI was produced during a transformative period in Hilma af Klint's career, where she sought to translate complex spiritual themes into visual form. Being part of 'The Five,' Klint engaged in rituals to connect with the 'High Masters' and channel their messages into her art. This piece not only reflects her personal spiritual journey but also serves as an exploration of the broader themes of creation and divinity. The abstract forms and colors used in this composition foreshadow the abstraction movement, which would emerge in full force in the decades following her creation.
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Did You Know
Hilma af Klint’s works, including Evolution, No. 13, Group VI. are often considered some of the first abstract paintings in Western art, created before well-known figures like Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich popularized the movement.
Klint was part of a spiritual group known as ‘The Five,’ composed of women who used their artistic talents to explore theosophical ideas and communicate with spiritual entities through their art.
‘Evolution, No. 13’ shares symbolic elements with Klint’s other series, such as the seven-pointed star, which represents various spiritual beliefs, including creation and divine perfection across multiple cultures and religions.
