Hilma af Klint: A Pioneering Force in Abstract Art

Hilma af Klint, a Swedish artist who passed away in 1944, is set to receive her first solo exhibition in France, titled "Hilma af Klint. Les peintures du Temple," at the Grand Palais in Paris from May 6 to August 30, 2026. This exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, will showcase her significant body of work, particularly the cycle "Paintings for the Temple" created between 1906 and 1915. This event marks a pivotal moment in the recognition of af Klint's contributions to modern art, as she is now acknowledged as a pioneer of the abstract art movement.

At the Grand Palais in Paris a major monographic exhibition on Hilma af KlintThe Guardian

Hilma af Klint was born in 1862 and was one of the first women to be admitted to Stockholm’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Throughout her career, she produced traditional portraits and landscapes but kept her abstract spiritual paintings hidden, believing they would not be understood by her contemporaries. Af Klint's work was influenced by her involvement with the Theosophical Society and a spiritualist group known as "the Five," which shaped her artistic vision and led her to create works filled with esoteric symbols and themes of universal harmony.

The GuardianAt the Grand Palais in Paris a major monographic exhibition on Hilma af Klint

Despite her groundbreaking contributions, af Klint's work was largely overlooked during her lifetime. She instructed that her paintings remain sealed for 20 years after her death, a decision that contributed to her obscurity. It was not until 1986 that her work was first exhibited to a broader audience in Los Angeles, leading to a gradual rediscovery. A significant turning point occurred in 2013 when a major exhibition in Stockholm showcased 230 of her works, garnering international attention. However, even in recent years, her contributions have been marginalized, as evidenced by her exclusion from a 2010 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

At the Grand Palais in Paris a major monographic exhibition on Hilma af Klint

Art experts have noted the historical neglect of women artists in the narrative of modern art. Professor Caroline Levisse remarked on the challenges af Klint faced, stating, “Even after she was first discovered in the 1980s she was often ignored.” This ongoing oversight highlights the need for a reevaluation of art history to include the contributions of women like af Klint, who played a crucial role in the development of abstract art.

The Guardian

Pascal Rousseau, the curator of the upcoming exhibition, emphasized the importance of af Klint's work in the context of art history, stating that the exhibition aims to highlight the many sources of inspiration in her art and question how women artists have been overlooked. He noted, “This exhibition highlights the many sources of inspiration in her work and questions how art history has long overlooked women artists and their contributions to foundational movements.”

The Guardian

The Paris exhibition is expected to be a significant moment for af Klint's legacy, providing a comprehensive view of her work and its influences. As her paintings are fragile and in need of restoration, this may be one of the last opportunities for the public to view them for some time. The exhibition not only seeks to celebrate af Klint's artistic achievements but also to provoke a broader discussion about the role of women in the history of modern art.

At the Grand Palais in Paris a major monographic exhibition on Hilma af Klint