Hilma af Klint at the Grand Palais: a groundbreaking exhibition spotlighting the pioneer of abstraction

The Grand Palais is hosting a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to Hilma af Klint, the visionary Swedish artist, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, from May 6 to August 30, 2026. This exhibit offers France’s first opportunity to experience her mystical and pioneering works firsthand — pieces that have long remained in the shadows of art history.

A first in France for this artist! The Grand Palais is hosting an exhibition that challenges traditional perspectives on the history of modern art. From May 6 to August 30, 2026, visitors can explore the groundbreaking work of Hilma af Klint. This Swedish artist, born in 1862, created abstract paintings that disrupted the typical timeline of major art movements. Long before Kandinsky or Malevich, Hilma af Klint was already experimenting with geometric shapes, bold color blocks, and organic motifs to convey an intimate vision of the unseen world.

An exhibition created in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou showcases for the first time in France the works of an artist, including the complete series of Paintings of the Temple (1906-1915). This mystical and monumental cycle consists of 193 pieces, featuring the renowned Ten Greatest series — striking in their imposing formats and esoteric symbolism. A must-see for those interested in the roots of abstraction, as well as the connections between art, spirituality, and occult sciences.

Hilma af Klint au Grand Palais : une exposition inédite sur la pionnière de l’abstraction — ©The Moderna Museet, Stockholm

An artist bridging two worlds: between the seen and the unseen

Trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, the artist led a double artistic life: on one side, a traditional, figurative style rooted in academic conventions, and on the other, a secret, radically innovative practice. Influenced by spiritualism, Theosophy, and her mediumship experiences within a women’s group called "The Five", she developed a visual language to depict the cosmic and unseen forces that inspire her. Spirals, circles, and beams of light form a distinctive vocabulary—far removed from the artistic norms of her time.

This dialogue between science, faith, and art is felt in every piece on display, carrying an utopian spirit that transcends mere aesthetics. In a thoughtfully designed space meant to evoke the powerful vibrational energy of these works, visitors embark on an immersive journey filled with echoes of a metaphysical and universal quest. Far from merely recounting history, this exhibition encourages a contemporary reflection on the role of women in the history of art, a narrative long suppressed or overlooked.

A Reimagining of Art History Through a Feminine Lens

Long overlooked, Hilma af Klint has experienced a global revival since the 1980s, sparked by notable exhibitions like The Spiritual in Art in Los Angeles in 1986, and more recently, They Shape Abstraction at the Centre Pompidou. The exhibition at the Grand Palais continues this momentum of re-evaluating women artists, highlighting their crucial contributions to the development of major 20th-century art movements.

Through this spotlight, a complete reassessment of the dominant narratives in art history is undertaken, expanding the ways we interpret modernity. This exhibition represents a crucial milestone for anyone interested in the diversity of artistic voices and how certain figures have, from the margins, reshaped our view of the world. An exhibition not to be missed!

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