Hilma af Klint: Artist and Visionary opens today at the National Gallery of Ireland. The first major monographic exhibition dedicated to the artist’s work in Ireland features paintings, drawings and watercolours. The art of af Klint (1882-1944) – one of Sweden’s most celebrated modern artists – was profoundly informed by spirituality and exploration of rosicrucianism, theosophy, and anthroposophy. Like many artists at the turn of the 20th century she strived to articulate ways to make sense of the modern world. Drawing inspiration from sources including the natural world, scientific journals, art and religions she practised automatic drawing and painting alone and collectively. Portraiture and illustration provided a source of income. The spiritual paintings were seldom shown beyond her close circle. When af Klint died in 1944, she left 1,300 paintings and 124 notebooks comprising more than 26,000 typed and handwritten pages. This vast body of work remained in storage until the 1980s, largely unknown outside Sweden.
This exhibition will explore the time, place and circumstances that shaped this unique artistic vision. Highlights include key works like Group IX/SUW, The swan, no 1, (1914–15) and Group X, No 1, Altarpiece (1915). These are displayed alongside plant studies, early portraits and landscapes. Developed in partnership with the Hilma af Klint Foundation (Stockholm) the exhibition is presented by Key Capital at 25. It is funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. It continues until February 7.
