The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985

by Maurice Tuchman, Haags Gemeentemuseum (Other Contributor), Carel Blotkamp (Other Contributor)

The seventeen essays in this provocative book provide a radical rethinking of abstraction, from the Symbolism that prefigured abstract art through the current manifestations of spiritual content in American and European painting.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Visual Art, Spirituality, History

435 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thourough examination of the links between different kinds of spiritual teachings and traditions (such as theosophy and occultism) and abstract art between 1890 and 1985. Focusing on European and Northern American art, many essays delve deeper into specific groups of artists (like the Nabis) or one artist in particular (like Hilma af Klint). I read some essays from a to z and skimmed through others, and I will definitely be returning to this book in the future. It’s an art historian’s library staple.

[W.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books in my library. This is one of those "desert island" volumes. I used to get high fairly regularly. Now when I need to alter my state of consciousness, I look at these paintings and I get pretty much the same effect. Here's your SDVIG and it's not just textual...it's more the conceptual sort of SDVIG. This isn't where I first learned that "Everything that was going to happen in the 20th century in art first happened in Russian in the first two decades of the century," but it can be easily proven with the assistance of this volume. Many later recapitulations were (falsely) applauded as novel. This title is probably a little hard to find now, but well worth the hunt...the paintings in here range from obscure alchemical tract illustrations to nonpareil masterpieces by obscure painters to obscure works by well-known painters that fit the theme of this work. If you need a good alternate Holy Book to reify the spiritual and mystical impulses and experiences in your life, this might just be a good candidate. And absolutely no prosciptions or prescriptions are handed down....only vision.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One must feel an artwork before one thinks it; sensation precedes perception, predates association. This marvellous collection of a universal hum of creative works does both, presenting the abstract-most pieces of an abundance of abstract painters alongside concise biographies documenting the evolution of each's process.

This book has spent years on my wish list and I have always known I would love it. With it resting now between my palms, as if the vessel of a prayer, I am resplendent.

[Jann · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in seeing paintings that are created from an inner experience of a kind of expanded consciousness, this is a fantastic book. It covers many recognized and not so recognized painters, who have expressed this inner, spiritual experience in their paintings.

[Martin Bromirski · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book very much

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially read portions for my thesis on Hilma af Klint back in 2014 and then decided I should read the rest.

Enjoyed especially:
Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art
Sacred geometry
Transcending the Visible
The Case of the Artist Hilma af Klint
Abstract Film and Color Music
Concerning the Spiritual in Contemporary Art

[Eddie Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book that offers an "underground" history of abstract art. While I have no problem with "art for art's sake", which a lot of abstract art can appear to be, this book goes into great historical detail about how many of the developments in abstract art actually stemmed from the applied spiritual pursuits of artists, and therefore provides a sort of subject matter for many paintings that only appear to have none.

There were plenty of artists in this book I had never previously heard of, some of whom didn't even consider themselves artists; in particular a Swedish woman named Hilma af Klint who was a member of a seance and who produced some very interesting geometrical "spirit" drawings in the early 20th century.

The book includes scores of smallish but good quality reproductions of paintings and there's a great list of artists in the back complete with biographical timelines.

[Kmacauley]

Amazing and inspiring artwork.

[Paul]

Great book from a great show at LACMA in 1987.