Hilma af Klint: A Biography
Product ID: 457500079
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A highly anticipated biography of the enigmatic and popular Swedish painter. The Swedish painter Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) was forty-four years old when she broke with the academic tradition in which she had been trained to produce a body of radical, abstract works the likes of which had never been seen before. Today, it is widely accepted that af Klint was one of the earliest abstract academic painters in Europe. But this is only part of her story. Not only was she a working female artist, she was also an avowed clairvoyant and mystic. Like many of the artists at the turn of the twentieth century who developed some version of abstract painting, af Klint studied Theosophy, which holds that science, art, and religion are all reflections of an underlying life-form that can be harnessed through meditation, study, and experimentation. Well before Kandinsky, Mondrian, and Malevich declared themselves the inventors of abstraction, af Klint was working in a nonrepresentational mode, producing a powerful visual language that continues to speak to audiences today. The exhibition of her work in 2018 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City attracted more than 600,000 visitors, making it the most-attended show in the history of the institution. Despite her enormous popularity, there has not yet been a biography of af Klint—until now. Inspired by her first encounter with the artist’s work in 2008, Julia Voss set out to learn Swedish and research af Klint’s life—not only who the artist was but what drove and inspired her. The result is a fascinating biography of an artist who is as great as she is enigmatic. Review: THIS IS A BIOGRAPHY... - ... This is not a book loaded with color plates of the artist's work. I blew right past where the fact that THIS IS A BIOGRAPHY was clearly indicated. If you need to SEE many large examples of the artist's work I'd recommend you buy a book here that will give you that to study, first - THEN go back for her bio. Just in case I'm not the only one not paying attention... And no, I haven't yet read this. Once I do, I'll update. Review: I love Hilma af Klint - This is an outstanding book. Lots of photos and great history.
| Best Sellers Rank | #98,586 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #28 in European Art History #59 in Art Movements (Books) #67 in Biographies of Artists, Architects & Photographers (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 117 Reviews |
B**M
THIS IS A BIOGRAPHY...
... This is not a book loaded with color plates of the artist's work. I blew right past where the fact that THIS IS A BIOGRAPHY was clearly indicated. If you need to SEE many large examples of the artist's work I'd recommend you buy a book here that will give you that to study, first - THEN go back for her bio. Just in case I'm not the only one not paying attention... And no, I haven't yet read this. Once I do, I'll update.
A**S
I love Hilma af Klint
This is an outstanding book. Lots of photos and great history.
J**S
Hilma af Klint: A Biography
E X C E L L E N T ! ! !
S**R
Great bilography
A comprehensive review of Hilma af Klint's life and philosophy.
J**R
Great art book.
Very interesting and inspiring book.
A**R
Great book
Well with the purchase and great reproductions.
R**Y
Hilma af Klimt
Comprehensive biography on the artist.
I**Z
Dry
The idea of this book that grabbed me was the mystical nature of the artist’s work. Unfortunately the writing was so dry and fact-ridden, (rather than using engaging stories) that I had to give up on it. The photos in the book are beautiful and almost made it worthwhile.
A**D
A fascinating biography of a fascinating life.
An excellent biography of a fascinating artist. I feel that Hilma af klint herself identified Julia Voss as the perfect writer of her biography! The amount of effort and research put into this biography must have been exhausting considering all Hilmas correspondence etc was in Swedish.
F**N
More of a political statement than an honest biography
Clearly biased, dubious and even erroneous at time. The choice of the paintings isn’t the best and there are only a few. The kind of work that disguise personal opinions under an academic methodology. But can you really study history and art if you are full of prejudice ? It seems rather unprofessional to me.
A**R
Great bio
Brilliant biography of the working life of af Klint. Fascinating to read about how her work was created via spiritualism and her struggles to be accepted in the art world. Has several lovely colour plates showing her work
A**N
received ripped to shreds & badly damaged on all levels/ discoloured!
not at all impressed
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