Hilma af Klint: The Ten Largest No. 2, Childhood (1907)

A colourful abstract art poster featuring Hilma af Klint’s The Ten Largest, No. 2, Childhood from 1907. Large orange and blue circles, smaller floating forms and delicate organic lines unfold across a luminous blue background in the second painting from her monumental series about the stages of human life.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper, as close to you as possible. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Abstract artwork by Hilma af Klint
• The second painting in The Ten Largest
• Created in Stockholm in 1907
• Orange, blue and pink circles on a blue background
• Printed on 200 gsm heavyweight matte paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

Childhood expressed through circles and colour

No. 2, Childhood continues Hilma af Klint’s exploration of the earliest stage of human life. Two large circles in orange and blue dominate the composition, surrounded by smaller round forms and flowing lines.

The circles appear to expand, overlap and move across the blue surface. Their contrasting colours give the painting a sense of energy and growth while maintaining the calm atmosphere shared by the two Childhood paintings.

Complementary forces in balance

Hilma af Klint used colour to represent opposing yet interconnected principles. Yellow and orange were associated with the masculine, while blue represented the feminine.

In this second painting, the large orange and blue circles carry a symbolic function similar to the rose and lily in the first work. Their placement suggests two forces meeting and developing within the same visual world.

“In the second painting, the large circles in orange and blue have a similar symbolic function.”

The Ten Largest

Hilma af Klint created the ten monumental paintings during forty intensive days in the autumn of 1907. Each work took approximately four days and was painted in tempera on large sheets of paper mounted on canvas.

The series explores four stages of human life on spiritual and psychological levels. No. 1 and 2 represent Childhood, No. 3 and 4 Youth, No. 5 to 8 Adulthood, and No. 9 and 10 Old Age.

The Ten Largest belongs to The Paintings for the Temple, an extensive body of work that af Klint began in 1906.

About Hilma af Klint

Hilma af Klint was born in Stockholm in 1862. She studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and initially worked with portraits, landscapes and botanical studies.

Alongside her public artistic career, she developed a private body of abstract and symbolic paintings inspired by spiritualism, theosophy and her study of nature. She combined geometric forms, letters and organic imagery several years before abstraction became established in European modern art.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Vivid colour for a contemporary interior

The luminous blue background and warm orange circles give the poster a distinctive expression. It works beautifully in a living room, bedroom, creative workspace or children’s room with light wood and neutral Scandinavian materials.

Discover more works in our collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

What does No. 2, Childhood represent?

The painting represents childhood and the beginning of human spiritual development through circles, contrasting colours and organic forms.

What do the orange and blue circles symbolise?

They represent complementary masculine and feminine principles within Hilma af Klint’s symbolic system.

Is the artwork part of a larger series?

Yes. It is the second of ten monumental paintings exploring Childhood, Youth, Adulthood and Old Age.

When was the artwork created?

Hilma af Klint created it in 1907 as part of The Paintings for the Temple.

How large is the original?

The original artwork measures approximately 328 × 240 cm.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm paper with a smooth, non-reflective matte surface.

Is a frame included?

No, the frame is not included.