The Seven-Pointed Star No. 1 (1908 CE)

The Seven-Pointed Star No. 1 (Original title: “Sjustjärnan, nr.1”) is a 1908 artwork by Hilma af Klint, part of her experimental series that explores spiritual and cosmic themes through abstraction. The painting features spiraling energy expanding outward, forming new centers, and reflects af Klint’s unique style of combining symbolic and spiritual elements with early modernist abstraction.

“The Seven-Pointed Star No. 1” is one of 21 works in the series “The Seven-Pointed Star,” created by Hilma af Klint. This series represents a significant period in af Klint’s career, where she delved deeper into abstract representation, moving away from traditional motifs. The series was produced under the influence of af Klint’s spiritual beliefs, particularly Theosophy, which emphasizes the connection between the divine order and the harmony of the universe.

Hilma af Klint believed that her creative process was guided by spiritual entities, often referred to as her “spiritual guides.” For “The Seven-Pointed Star” series, she followed specific instructions to paint in a systematic manner: three groups of seven paintings, each created at intervals of seven days. While this structure imposed a form of discipline, it also granted her creative freedom within each individual work. Af Klint’s adherence to these spiritual directives reflects her conviction that her art was a means of communicating divine messages. Her use of controlled yet expressive lines in this painting is reminiscent of her early automatic drawings, where she would allow her hand to be guided by unseen forces.

“The Seven-Pointed Star No. 1” holds a unique place in af Klint’s body of work due to its blend of spiritual symbolism and early modernist abstraction. In many cultures, the number seven is associated with divine order and cosmic harmony. In Theosophy, the Seven Stars or the Pleiades are believed to transmit spiritual energy to the human realm. This painting exemplifies af Klint’s pioneering role in the early development of abstract art, predating and influencing later abstract movements.

This painting is rendered in tempera, gouache, and graphite on paper, mounted on canvas, and measures 62.5 x 76 cm or 24.6 x 29.9 inches. The materials and techniques af Klint employed allowed her to create a vivid interplay of lines and colors, with the tempera and gouache providing a luminous quality to the spiraling forms. Her careful use of line, reminiscent of her earlier automatic drawings but with more control, indicates a shift toward modernist abstraction, a style she helped to pioneer.

The artwork is part of the collection of The Hilma af Klint Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. Since its creation, “The Seven-Pointed Star No. 1” has been featured in numerous exhibitions, contributing to a broader recognition of af Klint’s work as a groundbreaking precursor to modern abstract art. It has been exhibited at prominent venues such as the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Tate Modern in London.