Melampyrum nemorosum (Wood Cow-Wheat), Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell), Lotus corniculatus (Bird’s-Foot Trefoil). Sheet 23 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Melampyrum nemorosum (Wood Cow-Wheat), Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell), Lotus corniculatus (Bird’s-Foot Trefoil). Sheet 23 from the portfolio Nature Studies is a detailed drawing created by Hilma af Klint between August 1–3, 1919. This work exemplifies the artist's systematic approach to recording the natural world, a practice integral to her spiritual and philosophical inquiries during this period. Classified as a drawing, this piece utilizes a delicate blend of media, including watercolor, pencil, ink, and metallic paint on paper, demonstrating Klint’s willingness to incorporate experimental elements alongside traditional draftsmanship to achieve specific visual and luminous effects.

This sheet is one of 46 studies comprising the portfolio Nature Studies, a crucial segment of Klint’s extensive documentation projects. While the Swedish artist is primarily recognized today for her foundational contributions to abstract art, works such as this attest to her foundational commitment to meticulous botanical observation. The piece meticulously renders three distinct flowering plants: the yellow Wood Cow-Wheat, the purple Harebell, and the cheerful Bird’s-Foot Trefoil. Klint employed ink and pencil for precise structural outlines, softened by washes of watercolor that define the volume of the forms. The strategic application of metallic paint adds an iridescent quality, suggesting that these are not merely objective illustrations but visual records imbued with esoteric significance.

The meticulous dating of the drawing, executed over just three days in early August 1919, reflects Klint’s disciplined and intensive creative practice. As a highly significant Swedish figure, her work often bridges scientific documentation and esoteric thought. Although many of Klint’s most important works were intentionally withheld from public view until decades after her death, the recognition of their art historical importance has grown exponentially. This particular sheet, Melampyrum nemorosum (Wood Cow-Wheat), Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell), Lotus corniculatus (Bird’s-Foot Trefoil). Sheet 23 from the portfolio Nature Studies, is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, ensuring the continued study of Klint’s diverse contributions to early modernism. Access to high-quality prints of such historically important Nature Studies is often facilitated through public domain initiatives and museum resources.