Tree of Knowledge No.2, Series W (Kunskapens träd Nr. 2 serie W), finished in 1913, belongs to Hilma af Klint’s profound Tree of Knowledge sequence, a core group within her grand “Paintings for the Temple” project. The tree of knowledge acts as a universal axis connecting the earthly and divine realms, weaving together the biblical tree of good and evil, the Norse world tree Yggdrasil and theosophical teachings. This second panel traces a stage in the soul’s evolution, depicting division, polarity and the awakening of awareness through intertwined organic, spiral and circular forms.
Symbolism Visual Qualities
Rooted in Symbolism, the work prioritises allegorical meaning over naturalistic botanical depiction. Delicate flowing lines, layered translucent colour fields and carefully coded recurring motifs build a visual cosmology. The aesthetic carries echoes of Art Nouveau’s sinuous curves while serving a strictly visionary, spiritual purpose. Each shape, helix and paired symbol records a stage of cosmic and inner transformation, conceived as a prototype for a new spiritual era.
Hand-Painted Interpretation Focus
This hand-painted interpretation is not the original 1913 artwork. Our painters faithfully replicate the intricate layout, delicate linework and nuanced colour relationships of the original symbolic diagram. We preserve its subtle, layered luminosity and avoid heavy saturation or harsh shadows that obscure the fine interconnected details. Minor subtle hand-painted variations in brushwork and edge blending naturally exist, distinguishing this hand reproduction from digital printed copies.
Display Suggestions
This intricate symbolic artwork complements Scandinavian minimalist, Japandi, wabi-sabi, library, study and gallery-grid interiors. Warm off-white, light beige or pale taupe walls offer a gentle neutral backdrop that keeps the complex symbolic structure readable. Soft diffused ambient lighting is recommended; strong direct spotlights can wash out fine linework and translucent colour layers. Confirm your wall dimensions before selecting your final canvas size. (Word count: 387)
Key Details
- Hand-painted reproduction, not the original artwork
- Artist: Hilma af Klint
- Artwork: Tree of Knowledge No.2 Series W, Kunskapens träd Nr. 2 serie W
- Year: 1913
- Style: Symbolism
- Genre: symbolic painting










Reviews
There are no reviews yet.