Hilma af Klint painted what are now recognized as the first abstract artworks known to the current art community. The Swedish artist first began painting abstracts in 1906 at the age of 44. (The one above is from 1915-1916.) After having her major work rejected by a critic, Klint decided the world was not yet ready for her art, and carefully stored away 1,200 paintings for the future.
When she died in 1944, she required in her will that the paintings not be opened for 20 years. When they were first seen again in the 1960s people were still not enthused. In 1970 her paintings were offered as a gift to Moderna Museet in Stockholm – they declined the donation. Her nephew then donated thousands of drawings and paintings to a foundation named after Klint which continues to manage them today.
In February 2018, the Foundation signed a long-term agreement of cooperation with the Moderna Museet, ensuring that a dedicated Hilma af Klint room would remain where a dozen works of the artist are always on display.
