Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marsh-Orchid), Pedicularis palustris (European Purple Lousewort), Rhinanthus minor (Little Yellow Rattle). Sheet 45 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marsh-Orchid), Pedicularis palustris (European Purple Lousewort), Rhinanthus minor (Little Yellow Rattle). Sheet 45 from the portfolio Nature Studies by Hilma af Klint is a precise, detailed botanical study created over a three-day period, June 13–15, 1920. This drawing, executed in a mixed technique of watercolor, pencil, ink, and metallic paint on paper, is part of a larger compilation of 46 observational works known collectively as the Nature Studies portfolio. This specific sheet focuses on three distinct local floral species, meticulously rendering their morphology and coloring. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Though Hilma af Klint is globally renowned for her pioneering contributions to abstract art, this body of work underscores the Swedish artist's profound commitment to empirical observation and scientific drawing. The Nature Studies portfolio reflects Klint's practice of documenting flora around her environment, a pursuit that served as both a spiritual exercise and rigorous visual documentation. The technique employed here uses traditional drawing materials combined with subtle applications of metallic paint, which adds a unique luminosity, bridging scientific accuracy with Klint’s signature esoteric inclinations.

Created in 1920, this detailed study showcases Klint's enduring skill as a draftsman, contrasting sharply with the spiritual, non-objective abstractions that characterized much of her better-known work from earlier decades. These highly precise drawings offer essential context for understanding the foundational visual influences and methodical approach that informed the development of Klint’s unique visual language. As these works become increasingly accessible, researchers and enthusiasts can closely examine the observational precision of this period. High-resolution images of these master drawings, sometimes available as prints through public domain initiatives, continue to expand public understanding of the full breadth of Klint’s diverse and revolutionary career.