Primordial Chaos No. 2 (1906 CE)

Urkaos nr.2, also known in English as “Primordial Chaos No. 2,” is a pioneering work by Hilma af Klint that delves into the very essence of creation. It captures the formation of the physical world, presenting it as a cosmic dance between opposing forces. This painting, with its abstract forms and vibrant colors, invites viewers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the primordial energies that shape our reality.

Created in 1906, “Primordial Chaos No. 2” emerged during a period when Hilma af Klint was exploring radically new artistic concepts. This was a time when abstract art was still in its infancy, and af Klint’s work predated similar movements. Despite the groundbreaking nature of her work, af Klint was acutely aware that the world might not be ready to embrace her vision. As a result, she rarely exhibited her paintings and requested that they remain unseen for 20 years after her death. “Primordial Chaos No. 2” was conceived in a period of intense spiritual exploration, with af Klint channeling her work directly through a process she described as guided by forces beyond her conscious control.

Hilma af Klint once remarked about her creative process, “The pictures were painted directly through me, without any preliminary drawings and with great force. I had no idea what the paintings were supposed to depict; nevertheless, I worked swiftly and surely, without changing a single brushstroke.” This spontaneous and intuitive approach underscores the spiritual and mystical dimensions of “Primordial Chaos No. 2,” as if the artwork itself was a conduit for otherworldly energies and insights.

“Primordial Chaos No. 2” holds a significant place in the history of modern art. At a time when women in Sweden were just beginning to gain access to higher education, including the arts, Hilma af Klint was breaking new ground. She studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, which had only recently begun admitting female students in 1849. Her work is remarkable not only for its abstract style, which predates many of the well-known male artists associated with abstractionism, but also for its deep engagement with spiritual and philosophical themes. The painting represents a cosmic narrative of creation, symbolizing the duality of the material and spiritual worlds through abstract forms and colors.

“Primordial Chaos No. 2” is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 53 × 36.5 cm or 20.9 × 14.4 inches. The composition is filled with spirals of energy, sparks of creation, and symbols representing fertility and rebirth, such as sperm and snakes. The use of color—blue for the feminine, yellow for the masculine—along with the abstract symbols, creates a dynamic interplay that evokes the birth of the universe from a primordial state.

The painting is part of the collection of the Hilma af Klint Foundation in Stockholm. After af Klint’s death in 1944, her works were kept largely private, as per her wishes, and remained virtually unknown to the public until they were first exhibited in 1986. Since then this painting has become a cornerstone of her oeuvre and a key piece in understanding the development of abstract art.