Christina here with a movie review, which is something the Wenches thought we would try occasionally this year if we came across one we would really like to recommend. As the film in question is biographical, I have combined it with information about the subject of the movie, who was a real person.
I have to admit I don’t often go to the cinema to see Oscar-worthy films because I usually find them either boring or too sad. (I’m very shallow in my movie choices!). It has always seemed to me that the more heart-wrenching the story, the more Oscars it gets. And I don’t handle sad endings well. However, a little while ago I let my neighbour drag me along to see a film called Hilma. It’s a true story about a Swedish artist called Hilma af Klint, and she was more or less unknown until fairly recently.
Hilma was born in 1862, the daughter of a naval commander. She and her family spent their summers on the idyllic island of Adelsö in Lake Mälaren, west of Stockholm. Here she became inspired by her surroundings and all the beautiful shapes found in nature. She loved botany and was interested in science and mathematics, but it was clear early on that she was brilliant at drawing. The family moved to Stockholm, where she studied landscape painting and portraiture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. When she graduated, she was given a scholarship which gave her the use of a studio. She supported herself by painting landscapes, portraits and botanical drawings, but that wasn’t really the type of art she was truly interested in.
Judging by the movie, I’d say she was somewhat mentally disturbed, or at least very different in her thinking throughout her life. Her younger sister Hermina, with whom she had been very close, died when Hilma was in her late teens and this tragedy affected her deeply. I think it unhinged her slightly. Hermina’s death sparked an interest in spiritualism, and she seems to have spent a lot of time trying to contact her sister via spiritual mediums. She started to read about theosophy (see explanation below), and became obsessed with the works of Rudolf Steiner, who had his own theories about the Arts and other subjects. When he came to Stockholm to give a lecture, she was introduced to him, and later met with him again in Switzerland. She desperately wanted him to like and understand her paintings, but apparently he wasn’t very impressed. That crushed her, and she was so upset that she stopped painting for several years.
(Theosophy, according to Wikipedia, “teaches that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation and says that the human soul undergoes reincarnation upon bodily death according to a process of karma. It promotes values of universal brotherhood and social improvement, although it does not stipulate particular ethical codes.”)
Hilma joined a group of women artists (later called “The Five”) who shared her beliefs and helped her. They seem to have been early feminists, and if the movie is to be believed, Hilma was also in a relationship with one of them for many years. These women often held seances and Hilma claimed she was “told” by the spirits what to paint. Sometimes they even guided her hand, literally, according to her. These works of art were compositions that were supposed to represent spiritual ideas. A lot of them were geometric shapes, like spirals and petals. She wanted to build a ’Temple’ to hang them in, in the shape of a spiral, or a snail’s shell. At the time no one wanted to know and didn’t want to give her the money for this, which frustrated her.
She painted a collection of 193 abstract paintings which were intended for the ‘Temple’. Some of them were very large and represent the different phases of life. She continued to be inspired by the spiritual, and added symbols, letters and words. Many of her paintings are symmetrical shapes, and she used colours to represent various things, for example blue was the female spirit, yellow the male. She is considered to be the one of the first artists to paint abstract works. Others like Kandinsky and Mondrian came after her, which means she was a pioneer of this style. It is possible they were influenced by some of her paintings.
The ’spiritual guidance’ eventually came to an end, but she carried on painting abstract motifs for the rest of her life. She continued to try to make sense of her thoughts, and jotted these down in more than 150 notebooks. Later in life, she lived on another island in Lake Mälaren called Munsö, where she seems to have finally built a studio where her paintings could be displayed.
She died in 1944, aged almost 82, after a traffic accident, leaving a vast collection of paintings and diaries to her nephew, Erik af Klint. However, disillusioned at her death, she decreed that her paintings were to be hidden away for 20 years. She didn’t think the world would be ready to see or understand her art until then. When they were finally unearthed again, they were a sensation.
I can’t say that I like them because I really don’t – I’m not a fan of modern art – but I was greatly moved by her story. The film itself is a masterpiece of filmmaking directed by Lasse Hallström and starring his wife and daughter. The settings are stunning, shot in the Stockholm archipelago where the summer light is fantastic. And the old towns and costumes depicted in the movie are recreated in an elaborate and authentic way. Ultimately, one can see it as a sad tale of a woman who didn’t manage to achieve her dreams during her lifetime, but at the same time, she did triumph in the end. I believe she now has the recognition she deserved.
Definitely worth a look if you like that sort of film or even if, like me, you usually don’t!
Have you heard of Hilma – seen the film or attended an exhibition of her work? And are there other artists whose work you feel has been undervalued?
[All photos from Wikimedia Commons]
Fascinating, Christina! No, I’ve never heard of her, and yes, it’s wonderful that she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. I’m not a huge fan of modern art–give me the Pre-Raphaelites, who painted beautiful and whose pictures told stories–but I do like some of the examples of Hilma’s work that you put in your blog. Many thanks!
Fascinating, Christina! No, I’ve never heard of her, and yes, it’s wonderful that she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. I’m not a huge fan of modern art–give me the Pre-Raphaelites, who painted beautiful and whose pictures told stories–but I do like some of the examples of Hilma’s work that you put in your blog. Many thanks!
Fascinating, Christina! No, I’ve never heard of her, and yes, it’s wonderful that she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. I’m not a huge fan of modern art–give me the Pre-Raphaelites, who painted beautiful and whose pictures told stories–but I do like some of the examples of Hilma’s work that you put in your blog. Many thanks!
Fascinating, Christina! No, I’ve never heard of her, and yes, it’s wonderful that she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. I’m not a huge fan of modern art–give me the Pre-Raphaelites, who painted beautiful and whose pictures told stories–but I do like some of the examples of Hilma’s work that you put in your blog. Many thanks!
Fascinating, Christina! No, I’ve never heard of her, and yes, it’s wonderful that she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves. I’m not a huge fan of modern art–give me the Pre-Raphaelites, who painted beautiful and whose pictures told stories–but I do like some of the examples of Hilma’s work that you put in your blog. Many thanks!
Thank you Mary Jo, glad you enjoyed it! And yes I much prefer the Pre-Raphaelites too – love their paintings!
Thank you Mary Jo, glad you enjoyed it! And yes I much prefer the Pre-Raphaelites too – love their paintings!
Thank you Mary Jo, glad you enjoyed it! And yes I much prefer the Pre-Raphaelites too – love their paintings!
Thank you Mary Jo, glad you enjoyed it! And yes I much prefer the Pre-Raphaelites too – love their paintings!
Thank you Mary Jo, glad you enjoyed it! And yes I much prefer the Pre-Raphaelites too – love their paintings!
Very interesting blog. I had never heard of Hilma – the movie sounds interesting. I’m not much of an art critic. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but it would be had for me to explain why. Photography interests me much more than paintings.
Very interesting blog. I had never heard of Hilma – the movie sounds interesting. I’m not much of an art critic. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but it would be had for me to explain why. Photography interests me much more than paintings.
Very interesting blog. I had never heard of Hilma – the movie sounds interesting. I’m not much of an art critic. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but it would be had for me to explain why. Photography interests me much more than paintings.
Very interesting blog. I had never heard of Hilma – the movie sounds interesting. I’m not much of an art critic. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but it would be had for me to explain why. Photography interests me much more than paintings.
Very interesting blog. I had never heard of Hilma – the movie sounds interesting. I’m not much of an art critic. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but it would be had for me to explain why. Photography interests me much more than paintings.
Thank you Mary! I’m the same – I know what I like when I see it and this wasn’t it. Great film though!
Thank you Mary! I’m the same – I know what I like when I see it and this wasn’t it. Great film though!
Thank you Mary! I’m the same – I know what I like when I see it and this wasn’t it. Great film though!
Thank you Mary! I’m the same – I know what I like when I see it and this wasn’t it. Great film though!
Thank you Mary! I’m the same – I know what I like when I see it and this wasn’t it. Great film though!
No I had never heard of her and I’m with you in that I don’t like modern art. I don’t understand it so maybe that’s the problem 🙂
No I had never heard of her and I’m with you in that I don’t like modern art. I don’t understand it so maybe that’s the problem 🙂
No I had never heard of her and I’m with you in that I don’t like modern art. I don’t understand it so maybe that’s the problem 🙂
No I had never heard of her and I’m with you in that I don’t like modern art. I don’t understand it so maybe that’s the problem 🙂
No I had never heard of her and I’m with you in that I don’t like modern art. I don’t understand it so maybe that’s the problem 🙂
What an interesting post, Christina; thank you for introducing me to this artist. Her landscape above is impressive, and I like “Altarpiece No1”, too.
I hadn’t known of her, but her name makes me think of Gustav Klimt.
What an interesting post, Christina; thank you for introducing me to this artist. Her landscape above is impressive, and I like “Altarpiece No1”, too.
I hadn’t known of her, but her name makes me think of Gustav Klimt.
What an interesting post, Christina; thank you for introducing me to this artist. Her landscape above is impressive, and I like “Altarpiece No1”, too.
I hadn’t known of her, but her name makes me think of Gustav Klimt.
What an interesting post, Christina; thank you for introducing me to this artist. Her landscape above is impressive, and I like “Altarpiece No1”, too.
I hadn’t known of her, but her name makes me think of Gustav Klimt.
What an interesting post, Christina; thank you for introducing me to this artist. Her landscape above is impressive, and I like “Altarpiece No1”, too.
I hadn’t known of her, but her name makes me think of Gustav Klimt.
One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that I missed out in seeing her exhibition when it was in Sydney. Her work is amazing. I’m a great fan of Kandinsky so to find out about a woman whose work pre dated his was very exciting. Ah, well maybe one day I’ll see her work in the flesh.
One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that I missed out in seeing her exhibition when it was in Sydney. Her work is amazing. I’m a great fan of Kandinsky so to find out about a woman whose work pre dated his was very exciting. Ah, well maybe one day I’ll see her work in the flesh.
One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that I missed out in seeing her exhibition when it was in Sydney. Her work is amazing. I’m a great fan of Kandinsky so to find out about a woman whose work pre dated his was very exciting. Ah, well maybe one day I’ll see her work in the flesh.
One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that I missed out in seeing her exhibition when it was in Sydney. Her work is amazing. I’m a great fan of Kandinsky so to find out about a woman whose work pre dated his was very exciting. Ah, well maybe one day I’ll see her work in the flesh.
One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that I missed out in seeing her exhibition when it was in Sydney. Her work is amazing. I’m a great fan of Kandinsky so to find out about a woman whose work pre dated his was very exciting. Ah, well maybe one day I’ll see her work in the flesh.
Me too Teresa! My dad tried several times to explain it to me but I never got it.
Me too Teresa! My dad tried several times to explain it to me but I never got it.
Me too Teresa! My dad tried several times to explain it to me but I never got it.
Me too Teresa! My dad tried several times to explain it to me but I never got it.
Me too Teresa! My dad tried several times to explain it to me but I never got it.
Yes I like the paintings that are not modern in style – she was very good! I thought at first she was related to Klimt until I realised he’d name had an N instead of M.
Yes I like the paintings that are not modern in style – she was very good! I thought at first she was related to Klimt until I realised he’d name had an N instead of M.
Yes I like the paintings that are not modern in style – she was very good! I thought at first she was related to Klimt until I realised he’d name had an N instead of M.
Yes I like the paintings that are not modern in style – she was very good! I thought at first she was related to Klimt until I realised he’d name had an N instead of M.
Yes I like the paintings that are not modern in style – she was very good! I thought at first she was related to Klimt until I realised he’d name had an N instead of M.
I hope so Deb! You’ll have to come to Sweden as I’m sure some of her work is on display there.
I hope so Deb! You’ll have to come to Sweden as I’m sure some of her work is on display there.
I hope so Deb! You’ll have to come to Sweden as I’m sure some of her work is on display there.
I hope so Deb! You’ll have to come to Sweden as I’m sure some of her work is on display there.
I hope so Deb! You’ll have to come to Sweden as I’m sure some of her work is on display there.
This sounds really interesting and unusual. I must look out for this film
This sounds really interesting and unusual. I must look out for this film
This sounds really interesting and unusual. I must look out for this film
This sounds really interesting and unusual. I must look out for this film
This sounds really interesting and unusual. I must look out for this film
Thank you Julia – hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Julia – hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Julia – hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Julia – hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Julia – hope you enjoy it!
Christina-I’ve never heard of Hilma and I doubt I will see the movie. But the paintings are gorgeous! I’m always attracted or to use a more accurate word-mesmerised-by an artists’ use of color and shape and Hilma executed both magnificently, IMHO. Thank you for a very thoughtful post.
Christina-I’ve never heard of Hilma and I doubt I will see the movie. But the paintings are gorgeous! I’m always attracted or to use a more accurate word-mesmerised-by an artists’ use of color and shape and Hilma executed both magnificently, IMHO. Thank you for a very thoughtful post.
Christina-I’ve never heard of Hilma and I doubt I will see the movie. But the paintings are gorgeous! I’m always attracted or to use a more accurate word-mesmerised-by an artists’ use of color and shape and Hilma executed both magnificently, IMHO. Thank you for a very thoughtful post.
Christina-I’ve never heard of Hilma and I doubt I will see the movie. But the paintings are gorgeous! I’m always attracted or to use a more accurate word-mesmerised-by an artists’ use of color and shape and Hilma executed both magnificently, IMHO. Thank you for a very thoughtful post.
Christina-I’ve never heard of Hilma and I doubt I will see the movie. But the paintings are gorgeous! I’m always attracted or to use a more accurate word-mesmerised-by an artists’ use of color and shape and Hilma executed both magnificently, IMHO. Thank you for a very thoughtful post.
I’m fascinated by the way some people/souls contend with intention vs reality, whether there’s a clear win, failure, or (best of all) wringing the most out of the struggle. Hilma’s story has given me a fine conversation in my mind. Thanks, Christina.
I’m fascinated by the way some people/souls contend with intention vs reality, whether there’s a clear win, failure, or (best of all) wringing the most out of the struggle. Hilma’s story has given me a fine conversation in my mind. Thanks, Christina.
I’m fascinated by the way some people/souls contend with intention vs reality, whether there’s a clear win, failure, or (best of all) wringing the most out of the struggle. Hilma’s story has given me a fine conversation in my mind. Thanks, Christina.
I’m fascinated by the way some people/souls contend with intention vs reality, whether there’s a clear win, failure, or (best of all) wringing the most out of the struggle. Hilma’s story has given me a fine conversation in my mind. Thanks, Christina.
I’m fascinated by the way some people/souls contend with intention vs reality, whether there’s a clear win, failure, or (best of all) wringing the most out of the struggle. Hilma’s story has given me a fine conversation in my mind. Thanks, Christina.
Thank you Binnie, I’m so glad you like them!
Thank you Binnie, I’m so glad you like them!
Thank you Binnie, I’m so glad you like them!
Thank you Binnie, I’m so glad you like them!
Thank you Binnie, I’m so glad you like them!
It is definitely a fascinating story, Mary!
It is definitely a fascinating story, Mary!
It is definitely a fascinating story, Mary!
It is definitely a fascinating story, Mary!
It is definitely a fascinating story, Mary!
Thanks for the film review. It does sound like an interesting film. I had never heard of Hilma, but I am not interested in modern art. I think I am not smart enough to recognize what that art is supposed to represent. I like trees that look like trees. And people who look like people. I mean, I think I would be taken aback if I met a woman who looked like a Picasso woman.
It does seem that Hilma had disappointments in her life. That is sad, because it is evident she was a talent in modern art who was a pioneer. I may not be a fan of modern art, but I certainly realize that many people are huge fans.
Thanks again, you always teach me something. That is quite a gift to me.
Thanks for the film review. It does sound like an interesting film. I had never heard of Hilma, but I am not interested in modern art. I think I am not smart enough to recognize what that art is supposed to represent. I like trees that look like trees. And people who look like people. I mean, I think I would be taken aback if I met a woman who looked like a Picasso woman.
It does seem that Hilma had disappointments in her life. That is sad, because it is evident she was a talent in modern art who was a pioneer. I may not be a fan of modern art, but I certainly realize that many people are huge fans.
Thanks again, you always teach me something. That is quite a gift to me.
Thanks for the film review. It does sound like an interesting film. I had never heard of Hilma, but I am not interested in modern art. I think I am not smart enough to recognize what that art is supposed to represent. I like trees that look like trees. And people who look like people. I mean, I think I would be taken aback if I met a woman who looked like a Picasso woman.
It does seem that Hilma had disappointments in her life. That is sad, because it is evident she was a talent in modern art who was a pioneer. I may not be a fan of modern art, but I certainly realize that many people are huge fans.
Thanks again, you always teach me something. That is quite a gift to me.
Thanks for the film review. It does sound like an interesting film. I had never heard of Hilma, but I am not interested in modern art. I think I am not smart enough to recognize what that art is supposed to represent. I like trees that look like trees. And people who look like people. I mean, I think I would be taken aback if I met a woman who looked like a Picasso woman.
It does seem that Hilma had disappointments in her life. That is sad, because it is evident she was a talent in modern art who was a pioneer. I may not be a fan of modern art, but I certainly realize that many people are huge fans.
Thanks again, you always teach me something. That is quite a gift to me.
Thanks for the film review. It does sound like an interesting film. I had never heard of Hilma, but I am not interested in modern art. I think I am not smart enough to recognize what that art is supposed to represent. I like trees that look like trees. And people who look like people. I mean, I think I would be taken aback if I met a woman who looked like a Picasso woman.
It does seem that Hilma had disappointments in her life. That is sad, because it is evident she was a talent in modern art who was a pioneer. I may not be a fan of modern art, but I certainly realize that many people are huge fans.
Thanks again, you always teach me something. That is quite a gift to me.
Thank you Annette! I too prefer to know what I’m looking at but I know lots of people love modern art. We are all different!
Thank you Annette! I too prefer to know what I’m looking at but I know lots of people love modern art. We are all different!
Thank you Annette! I too prefer to know what I’m looking at but I know lots of people love modern art. We are all different!
Thank you Annette! I too prefer to know what I’m looking at but I know lots of people love modern art. We are all different!
Thank you Annette! I too prefer to know what I’m looking at but I know lots of people love modern art. We are all different!
So interesting & kind of a continuation of Andrea’s blog from the other day. I don’t really like modern or abstract art either but I do love color and both of you provided a lot of it. Happy!
So interesting & kind of a continuation of Andrea’s blog from the other day. I don’t really like modern or abstract art either but I do love color and both of you provided a lot of it. Happy!
So interesting & kind of a continuation of Andrea’s blog from the other day. I don’t really like modern or abstract art either but I do love color and both of you provided a lot of it. Happy!
So interesting & kind of a continuation of Andrea’s blog from the other day. I don’t really like modern or abstract art either but I do love color and both of you provided a lot of it. Happy!
So interesting & kind of a continuation of Andrea’s blog from the other day. I don’t really like modern or abstract art either but I do love color and both of you provided a lot of it. Happy!
OMG I LOVE that Swan picture! It’s stunning in it’s depiction of the soul feeding on itself as it is trying to burst from a cocoon into a butterfly. Not too mention the four elements depicted in unusual shades of color. Great review.
OMG I LOVE that Swan picture! It’s stunning in it’s depiction of the soul feeding on itself as it is trying to burst from a cocoon into a butterfly. Not too mention the four elements depicted in unusual shades of color. Great review.
OMG I LOVE that Swan picture! It’s stunning in it’s depiction of the soul feeding on itself as it is trying to burst from a cocoon into a butterfly. Not too mention the four elements depicted in unusual shades of color. Great review.
OMG I LOVE that Swan picture! It’s stunning in it’s depiction of the soul feeding on itself as it is trying to burst from a cocoon into a butterfly. Not too mention the four elements depicted in unusual shades of color. Great review.
OMG I LOVE that Swan picture! It’s stunning in it’s depiction of the soul feeding on itself as it is trying to burst from a cocoon into a butterfly. Not too mention the four elements depicted in unusual shades of color. Great review.
Thank you Jeanne! Yes I was thinking that too – just a lucky coincidence.
Thank you Jeanne! Yes I was thinking that too – just a lucky coincidence.
Thank you Jeanne! Yes I was thinking that too – just a lucky coincidence.
Thank you Jeanne! Yes I was thinking that too – just a lucky coincidence.
Thank you Jeanne! Yes I was thinking that too – just a lucky coincidence.
Thank you Monica! I kind of like that one too – it’s an interesting concept that’s for sure!
Thank you Monica! I kind of like that one too – it’s an interesting concept that’s for sure!
Thank you Monica! I kind of like that one too – it’s an interesting concept that’s for sure!
Thank you Monica! I kind of like that one too – it’s an interesting concept that’s for sure!
Thank you Monica! I kind of like that one too – it’s an interesting concept that’s for sure!