New research sheds light on the history of abstract art

Anna Cassel’s (1860–1937) work was dominated by magnificent landscapes and cityscapes. But she was a close friend and collaborated both spiritually and artistically with Hilma af Klint. Both women were members of the spiritualist group The Five, who were active from 1897 to 1907.

The book Anna Cassel: The Saga of the Rose, to be published in February, sheds new light on Cassel and her influence on early abstract art. And for the first time, nearly a century after Anna Cassel’s death, her large number of occult and spiritual paintings have been collected and published in a book.

In this book, Cassel is introduced to a wider audience in two essays, and it is clear that the collaboration between her and Hilma af Klint was much deeper than what has previously been known.

– Anna Cassel was an important artist in her own right and played a significant role in the development of early abstract art, which this book demonstrates. Her collaboration with Hilma af Klint is only one aspect of her fascinating artistry, which needs further research, says Daniel Birnbaum who has edited the book together with Kurt Almqvist.

Read more about Anna Cassel: The Saga of the Rose.