The artwork entitled “Svanen,” created by Hilma af Klint in 1914, is an expressionistic animal painting. It embodies the hallmarks of the Expressionism movement, characterized by its vivid, emotional execution and symbolic use of color and form.
The artwork depicts a stylized swan, central to its composition. The swan, rendered in contrasting dark and light hues, is presented in a near-abstract manner. Its wings span across a divided background of muted pastel and earthy tones, suggesting a symbolic or spiritual dimension to the piece. A decorative pendant, delineated with intricate detail, hangs near the swan’s neck, further accentuating the mystical quality of the artwork. The background is quadripartite, with each quadrant possessing a distinct yet subtle color shift, enhancing the sense of depth and segmentation within the painting.
