The Ten Largest, No. 3, Youth (De tio största, nr 3, Ynglingaåldern)
Painting on paper mounted on canvas • Hilma af Klint
Style & Movement
Abstract Art / Spiritualism (Theosophical and Anthroposophical influence)
Medium & Technique
Tempera on paper; techniques include flat color application and fluid, organic line work characteristic of spontaneous drawing but executed at massive scale.
Creation Period
1907
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 315 x 234 cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
Part of a monumental cycle representing the four stages of life. This specific panel represents 'Youth' through vibrant orange grounds and biomorphic, floral shapes. It contains esoteric symbols, botanical motifs, and cursive lines that suggest growth, biological energy, and spiritual evolution.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (preserved in the Hilma af Klint Foundation collection)
Estimated Market Value
$20,000,000 - $40,000,000 USD (Theoretical, as these works are rarely if ever traded privately)
Auction Estimate
$15,000,000 - $30,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Bequeathed by the artist to her nephew Erik af Klint in 1944; currently managed by the Hilma af Klint Foundation.
Art Historical Significance
A landmark of early abstraction, predating the canonical abstract works of Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian. It represents a paradigm shift in how art historians view the origins of non-representational art, tied to spiritualist practices and the 'Five' (De Fem) group.
Notable Features
Large scale relative to early 20th-century trends; uses a unique color palette of yolk-orange; incorporates 'automatic' spiritualist writing and symbols like the vesica piscis and spiral.
Condition Issues
Minor age-related fragility of the paper support; some surface scuffing and edge wear consistent with early 20th-century storage conditions before institutional management.
Conservation Recommendations
Strict climate control (50% RH), protection from UV light/lux limits, and specialized oversized support frames to prevent paper sagging.