Tulipa sp. (Tulip). Sheet 35 from the portfolio Nature Studies

Tulipa sp. (Tulip). Sheet 35 from the portfolio Nature Studies by Hilma af Klint is an exquisite drawing created on May 20, 1920. This intimate piece is one of 46 studies constituting the artist’s Nature Studies portfolio, a significant collection that bridges Klint's lifelong commitment to both scientific observation and esoteric inquiry. The work is meticulously rendered using watercolor, pencil, ink, and metallic paint on paper, demonstrating Klint’s sophisticated and experimental approach to traditional drawing media.

The drawing, classified as a botanical study, focuses on the specific structure of the tulip (Tulipa sp.). However, Klint transcends simple illustration, employing layered media to infuse the form with the spiritual and philosophical significance characteristic of her broader abstract oeuvre. The subtle presence of metallic paint suggests light and inner energy, reflecting the Swedish artist’s pursuit of depicting unseen forces and their correspondence with the natural, physical world. Even in these observational drawings, Klint sought to chart the evolution and relationships between forms that she explored in her contemporary large-scale abstract cycles.

This drawing reflects a period late in the artist’s career when, despite her profound contributions to modern abstraction, she continued to value observational skills and the systematic documentation of natural phenomena. The precise dating of May 20, 1920, underscores the systematic and diaristic approach Klint took to her artistic production. This important historical work resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its preservation and making high-quality prints and reproductions available for academic study and public appreciation.