Hilma af Klint

A Biography

By: Julia Voss, Anne Posten - translator

Narrated by: Doria Bramante

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The Swedish painter Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was forty-four years old when she broke with the academic tradition in which she had been trained to produce a body of radical, abstract works the likes of which had never been seen before. Today, it is widely accepted that af Klint was one of the earliest abstract academic painters in Europe.

But this is only part of her story. Not only was she a working female artist, she was also an avowed clairvoyant and mystic. Like many of the artists at the turn of the twentieth century who developed some version of abstract painting, af Klint studied Theosophy, which holds that science, art, and religion are all reflections of an underlying life-form that can be harnessed through meditation, study, and experimentation. The exhibition of her work in 2018 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City attracted more than 600,000 visitors, making it the most-attended show in the history of the institution.

Despite her enormous popularity, there has not yet been a biography of af Klint-until now. Inspired by her first encounter with the artist's work in 2008, Julia Voss set out to learn Swedish and research af Klint's life—not only who the artist was but what drove and inspired her. The result is a fascinating biography of an artist who is as great as she is enigmatic.

©2022 The University of Chicago (P)2023 Tantor

Ruined by narration

Without a doubt, this is an important book well worth reading. Highly recommend the print version to discover Julia Voss’ research findings. The text covers a wide range of relevant topics accessibly.

Unfortunately, the narrator destroys the experience. Even in English, she mispronounces many words she should have the basic cultural literacy to know.

This has become the default setting for too many audible narrators and listeners deserve so much better.

Do also take a look at Daniel Birnbaum’s “Anna Cassel: Saga of the Rose,” which alleges some of Klint’s works were painted by her close friend and associate. The discoveries about the elusive Klint are far from over.

Excellent audiobook. Talented narrator brings it to life.

Julia Voss' book is thorough and insightful. It is brought to life by the warm and compassionate voice of Doria Bramante who infuses life into the mystery of this enigmatic artist. Dates and addresses become worlds. Characters from art history become rich with personality and feed a through line, that has remained hidden from view.

Julia Voss comprehensively paints the world of Hilma like an investigative journalist and seeks to put the pieces together with open minded curiosity. This leaves room for the listener to play a part in history as it is being written. We follow Hilma with a world of questions from the world she was born into to the world she left us, hidden from view until now.

Thank you to the hard work of the author, the translator and the narrator for this important work.