Betula pendula (European White Birch). Sheet 32 from the portfolio Nature Studies is a drawing created by Hilma af Klint in 1920. This precise study, executed on April 29, 1920, is one of forty-six drawings compiled within the extensive Nature Studies portfolio. The medium consists of a blend of watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper, showcasing the Swedish artist’s meticulous attention to botanical forms and observational drawing. Klint’s work from this period demonstrates her deep commitment to integrating scientific methodology with spiritual inquiry, viewing the visible structures of nature as essential keys to understanding the universe.
The drawing focuses on the delicate architecture of the Betula pendula, commonly known as the European White Birch. Klint utilized pencil to establish the foundational structure and proportions, enhanced by precise ink lines to define intricate details of the branches and leaves. Over this framework, subtle watercolor washes lend depth and atmospheric quality, moving the piece beyond mere scientific illustration toward a meditation on organic form. The work reveals Klint’s rigorous practice of collecting and categorizing natural specimens, a practice crucial to her broader project of charting abstract principles through visual means.
Dating to a pivotal moment in the artist's career, this piece reflects Klint’s mature engagement with esoteric movements prevalent in Swedish culture at the time. While she is most celebrated for pioneering large-scale abstract painting, studies like this offer essential insights into the underlying observational and philosophical research that informed her abstract compositions. Scholars examining the genesis of abstract art frequently consult these preparatory works. Today, this historically significant drawing, Betula pendula (European White Birch). Sheet 32 from the portfolio Nature Studies, resides in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it remains accessible for academic study. High-quality prints of this exemplary observational work are often referenced by researchers worldwide.
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