Scandosorbus intermedia (Swedish Whitebeam), Potentilla erecta (Erect Cinquefoil), Veronica chamaedrys (Germander Speedwell). Sheet 14 from the portfolio Nature Studies by Hilma af Klint is a meticulous botanical drawing created in 1919. This work belongs to Klint’s extensive Nature Studies portfolio, a collection of forty-six drawings in which the artist precisely documented native flora, often focusing on the morphology and detail of specific species common to the Swedish countryside.
The drawing showcases Klint’s layered methodology, combining careful observation with a diverse material application. The piece employs watercolor washes, precise ink outlining, and soft graphite pencil work, notably accented by subtle applications of metallic paint on the paper. This blend of scientific rigor and unexpected artistic material points toward the syncretic approach Klint applied to both art and natural philosophy.
Executed on the specific dates of June 16–17, 1919, the piece captures the distinctive forms of the Swedish Whitebeam, Erect Cinquefoil, and Germander Speedwell. While these observational drawings appear purely academic, they were created concurrently with Klint’s major abstract cycles, demonstrating that her search for underlying universal structures manifested equally in detailed natural renderings and spiritual abstractions.
As a pioneering Swedish artist, Klint understood the act of drawing as a means of mapping the physical world, viewing biological forms not merely as specimens, but as symbolic representations of larger cosmological principles. The sheer volume and systematic nature of the Nature Studies portfolio underscore the artist’s commitment to methodical inquiry.
This essential piece, classified as a drawing from the Swedish cultural period, is included in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Klint's 1919 botanical explorations continue to provide critical context for understanding the full scope of her groundbreaking career. Today, high-quality archival prints of this influential work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its accessibility for study and appreciation.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.