Hilma af Klint: The Ten Largest No. 1, Childhood (1907)

A colourful abstract poster featuring Hilma af Klint’s The Ten Largest, No. 1, Childhood from 1907. Organic shapes, symbolic letters and delicate botanical forms unfold across a luminous blue background in the first work of 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
• First painting in The Ten Largest
• Created in Stockholm in 1907
• Blue background with botanical and symbolic forms
• Printed on 200 gsm premium matte paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

The beginning of the human life cycle

No. 1, Childhood opens Hilma af Klint’s sequence depicting childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. The pale blue background and gently floating forms give the composition a light and expectant character.

Two seed-like or egg-shaped forms appear within a central circle. Around them, floral shapes and curling lines suggest germination, growth and the beginning of life.

Roses, lilies and symbolic letters

The rose and lily represented complementary principles in Hilma af Klint’s visual language. The rose was associated with the masculine principle, while the lily represented the feminine.

The letters “a” and “v” refer to the ascetic and the vestal. These concepts belonged to the artist’s spiritual vocabulary and appear alongside shapes inspired by plants, seeds and biological growth.

“The first paintings have a blue background and represent Childhood.”

The Ten Largest

Hilma af Klint created the ten monumental paintings during forty intensive days in the autumn of 1907. Each work required 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 a spiritual and psychological level. Paintings 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 forms part of 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 works inspired by spiritualism, theosophy and her study of nature. Her paintings combined geometric forms, letters and organic imagery years before abstraction became established in European modern art.

Artwork information

Available sizes

Calm blue tones and expressive forms

The luminous blue background makes this poster a distinctive choice for a living room, bedroom, creative workspace or children’s room. Its soft colours work naturally with light wood and neutral Scandinavian interiors.

Explore more works in our collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

What does No. 1, Childhood represent?

It represents the beginning of human life and spiritual development through seeds, flowers, letters and other symbolic forms.

Is it part of a larger series?

Yes. It is the first of ten monumental paintings depicting childhood, youth, adulthood and old age.

When was the work created?

Hilma af Klint created it in 1907 while working on The Paintings for the Temple.

How large is the original?

The original measures approximately 328 × 240 cm.

What paper is used for the poster?

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

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included.