Childhood Group IV 1907

Hilma af Klint created this painting, “Childhood Group IV”, with oil and tempera, invoking a realm where floral motifs and abstract symbols converge. Notice the garlands of flowers, echoing ancient wreaths that crowned deities and victors, symbols of life, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence. The rose-like forms can also be seen on the ceiling of Egyptian tombs as a symbol of rebirth. See how Klint combines these ancient symbols with modern abstraction? The image invites introspection on the very nature of being. Observe the floating circles, reminiscent of cellular forms, hinting at growth. These biological allusions appear in numerous traditions as emblems of life. The orange thread recalls the thread of life, the thread of fate, seen in the Classical Greek tradition of the Fates. It is as if Klint has tapped into a collective unconscious. These motifs suggest a continuous cycle, connecting the spiritual, the natural, and the human. The meanings are never fixed, but ever-evolving, reflecting our ongoing quest to understand ourselves and the universe.