Primula veris (Cowslip Primrose), Cladonia spp. (Pixie Cup Lichens). Sheet 33 from the portfolio Nature Studies is a meticulous drawing created by Swedish artist Hilma af Klint in 1920. This particular sheet, dated specifically between May 14 and 19, 1920, demonstrates Klint’s commitment to scientific observation and subtle spiritual inquiry through botanical subjects. The work utilizes a refined mixed-media technique, executed on paper using watercolor, pencil, ink, gouache, and notably, traces of metallic paint, lending both precision and a subtle luminescence to the composition.
While Hilma af Klint is globally recognized for her revolutionary pioneering work in abstract art, the Nature Studies portfolio reveals her continued dedication to detailed representational drawing, which often served as a foundational exercise for her esoteric explorations. The piece captures the delicate, terrestrial structure of the Cowslip Primrose alongside various species of Cladonia, commonly referred to as Pixie Cup Lichens. Klint’s handling of the medium is methodical, highlighting her unique dual interest in the accuracy demanded by science and the symbolic potential residing within the microcosm of the natural world—a common thread throughout the Swedish artist’s career during this period.
As a singular component of a 46-drawing study, this piece reinforces Klint's systematic and sequential approach to artmaking in the 1920s. The technical combination of traditional drawing elements with experimental materials like metallic paint underscores the experimentation inherent in her practice. This historically significant work is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Although the original drawing is conserved by the museum, the increasing availability of high-resolution digital assets ensures that public domain access to Hilma af Klint’s revolutionary work, including prints of these detailed nature studies, continues to expand worldwide.
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