Tilia × europaea (Common Linden). Sheet 22 from the portfolio Nature Studies by Hilma af Klint is a detailed botanical drawing created on paper on July 29, 1919. This piece, executed using watercolor, pencil, ink, and metallic paint, is one of 46 individual drawings comprising the artist’s extensive Nature Studies portfolio. These late-career works reveal Klint’s dedication to synthesizing precise scientific observation with her lifelong engagement in esoteric and spiritual principles.
The subject focuses intensely on the Tilia × europaea, commonly known as the Common Linden, illustrating the Swedish artist's precise and systematic approach to documenting natural forms. Klint often documented the structures of flora and fauna, seeking to reveal the hidden energetic organization and underlying vital forces that she believed permeated all of existence. The drawing employs highly meticulous lines drawn in pencil and ink, providing structural accuracy, which are then enhanced by delicate washes of watercolor.
The subtle inclusion of metallic paint is characteristic of Klint’s unique methodology, transforming the simple representation of the linden into a diagrammatic expression of vitalism. This technique underscores the artist’s attempt to visually represent unseen forces and energies inherent in the natural object, elevating the drawing beyond standard botanical illustration. Though highly meticulous and informed by observational standards, the work remains rooted in Klint's unique visual language developed through her extensive studies in Theosophy and Rosicrucianism.
This exceptional drawing from 1919 confirms Klint's commitment to documenting the natural world alongside her groundbreaking abstract compositions. The meticulous rendering demonstrates the transitionary period of her practice, where she attempted to bridge the gap between empirical observation and spiritualist interpretations. This important Swedish work is classified as a Drawing and remains within the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), allowing for continued research into the full breadth of Klint’s innovative output.
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