A single, radiant heart anchors the base of Tree of Knowledge, No. 1, its spiral lines unfurling upward like the pulse of life itself. From this core, a pale trunk rises, branching into ovals and loops that suggest both the structure of a tree and the labyrinth of the mind.

The viewer’s eye is drawn along this path, encountering pairs of swans—one black, one white—locked in a gentle dance, their forms mirrored and entwined. Above, the tree’s crown glows with a pink, almost celestial bloom, rays of gold streaming outward, while the surrounding field is dotted with jewel-like shapes, each a note in the painting’s quiet symphony. The palette is soft yet deliberate, with olive greens, rose, and golds lending a sense of inwardness and discovery. Created between 1913 and 1915, this work belongs to a period when artists like Hilma af Klint were reaching beyond the visible world, seeking to chart the mysteries of existence through abstraction and symbol.

In early twentieth-century Europe, such images were rarely made for public display; instead, they emerged from private circles—spiritualist groups, esoteric societies, or visionary individuals—who believed art could reveal hidden truths. The painting’s presence today in the 19h00s collection is a reminder of how much remains to be uncovered about these pioneers and their intentions. Look again at the luminous heart and the branching forms: they invite not just observation, but contemplation.