Gagea lutea (Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem), Pulmonaria officinalis (Common Lungwort), Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot), Draba verna (Common Whitlowgrass), Pulsatilla vulgaris (European Pasqueflower). Sheet 2 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Gagea lutea (Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem), Pulmonaria officinalis (Common Lungwort), Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot), Draba verna (Common Whitlowgrass), Pulsatilla vulgaris (European Pasqueflower). Sheet 2 from the portfolio Nature Studies by Hilma af Klint is a meticulously executed botanical drawing from 1919. The work is composed using watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper, techniques that emphasize both the delicate coloration and the precise structural forms of the specific flora observed. This sheet is the second drawing in a large body of work comprising 46 individual pieces collectively known as Nature Studies, a portfolio distinct from Klint’s more recognized abstract paintings concerning spiritualism and theosophy.

The detailed documentation accompanying the drawing confirms that Klint produced this specific study within a highly focused six-day period, dated between April 24–30, 1919. The composition features five species typically found during early spring, rendered with a realism often contrasted with her simultaneous commitment to non-representational art. For instance, the watercolor application captures the subtle purples of the Common Lungwort and the bright yellows of the Coltsfoot, while the underlying pencil and ink framework ensures botanical accuracy.

Klint's systematic approach in her Nature Studies demonstrates the Swedish artist's belief that the observed world and esoteric thought were inextricably linked. Although seemingly purely scientific, the intense visual analysis evident in this piece reflects the foundational principles that underpinned her groundbreaking abstract work. This important drawing provides crucial insight into the comprehensive scope of Klint’s practice, bridging the gap between her spiritual investigations and her dedicated artistic study of the natural world. This historical piece is preserved within the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), contributing to the global understanding of early 20th-century modernism. As appreciation for Klint’s revolutionary vision grows, high-quality prints of her diverse output continue to inform scholars worldwide.