The Ten Largest, No. 5, Adulthood (1907 CE)

Step into the enigmatic realm of abstract mysticism with The Ten Largest, No. 5, Adulthood, a colorful 1907 masterpiece by Swedish artist Hilma af Klint. This monumental painting, alive with swirling symbols and vibrant hues dominated by purples, pinks, and yellows, invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of human maturity. Through its abstract forms—such as blooming flowers, spirals, and esoteric symbols—it offers an initial glimpse into af Klint’s profound exploration of spiritual growth and emotional depth, challenging us to see beyond the physical world.

Hilma af Klint (1862–1944), a trailblazing Swedish artist and mystic, created The Ten Largest, No. 5, Adulthood in 1907 within her Stockholm studio. This work emerged during a burst of creative intensity in November and December of that year, guided by her spiritual practices and automatic drawing techniques. As a member of “De Fem” (The Five), a group of women who channeled messages from higher beings, af Klint drew inspiration from theosophy and anthroposophy, movements led by thinkers like Helena Blavatsky and Rudolf Steiner. She envisioned this painting as part of her “Paintings for the Temple,” a visionary project for a spiritual space. Its eventual revelation in the late 20th century highlighted af Klint’s role as a pioneer in Western abstract art, predating similar innovations by artists.

Intriguing details reveal her process: she painted it in a trance-like state over just a few weeks in late 1907, feeling directed by spiritual entities known as “The High Masters.” Notably, the artwork incorporates cryptic letters, symbols, and forms—like snails symbolizing gradual development and crosses denoting divine connections—drawn from her background in botanical and anatomical studies. An additional fascinating element is her deliberate use of color: the purple backdrop evokes maturity and introspection, while the pink flower and yellow accents symbolize vitality and spiritual awakening, layers that af Klint intended for initiated viewers to decode over time.

The painting  stands as a pivotal work in the history of abstract art, embodying af Klint’s innovative blend of mysticism and modernism. It explores themes of human maturation through symbolic elements: a prominent pink flower with a yellow center represents spiritual blossoming, while spirals, circles, and organic lines depict physical, emotional, and transcendent growth. Rooted in esoteric traditions, the painting symbolizes life’s evolving phases suggesting intersections of the material and divine. Culturally, it reflects early 20th-century European spiritualism, where af Klint, as a female artist, used abstraction to transcend societal norms and convey universal truths. 

The painting employs egg tempera on paper, mounted on canvas, a medium that yields a matte, luminous finish ideal for af Klint’s ethereal style—pigments bound with egg yolk allow for subtle layering and vivid color retention without gloss. Measuring 321 cm x 237 cm (126.4 × 93.3 inches), its grand scale immerses viewers, as if stepping into a meditative portal. Key technical aspects include the dominant purple background for depth, overlaid with abstract motifs in yellow, blue, white, and black: freehand spirals convey energy, while precise symbols and letters add intellectual intrigue, all achieved through af Klint’s intuitive brushwork without traditional perspective.

Produced in Hilma af Klint’s Stockholm studio in 1907, “No. 5, Adulthood” stayed in her personal holdings until her passing in 1944, when it transferred to her nephew, Erik af Klint. The Hilma af Klint Foundation, founded in 1970, later oversaw its preservation and promotion. It was donated to the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Sweden, where it forms part of the permanent collection today.