Group I, No. 7, Primordial Chaos (1906-1907)
Created between 1906 and 1907, Group I, No. 7, Primordial Chaos is a fascinating oil on canvas painting by Swedish artist Hilma af Klint. This piece is part of her groundbreaking series 'Paintings for the Temple,' which comprises 193 works characterized by vibrant colors and complex spiritual themes. Influenced significantly by Theosophy and spiritualism, af Klint sought to visually express the invisible forces around her. Her pioneering approach towards abstraction predates many contemporaries, marking her as a crucial figure in the evolution of modern art.
1906 - 1907
About the Artwork
Hilma af Klint, an innovative artist and mystic, created Group I, No. 7, Primordial Chaos during a transformative period in her life, where she engaged deeply with spiritual practices. The painting is part of her ambitious series 'Paintings for the Temple,' through which she translated her spiritual explorations and séances into visual art. Af Klint was committed to depicting the unseen, tapping into a realm that combined her theosophical beliefs and a desire to communicate with the divine. Her use of color and form in this work reflects both her personal spiritual journey and her radical ideas about the potential of art as a means of expressing complex inner experiences. As a true pioneer of abstraction, af Klint's works laid foundational stones for future movements within modern art.
Click on the image to enlarge
Did You Know
Af Klint held seances and engaged in spiritual practices extensively, which greatly influenced her work. She believed her art was a direct communication with the spiritual realm.
Af Klint’s works, including ‘Primordial Chaos,’ are credited as some of the first purely abstract paintings created, predating notable movements that would shape modern art.
Af Klint kept her ‘Paintings for the Temple’ hidden from the public for over two decades, believing they were too revolutionary for her time; they were only exhibited posthumously.
