The Art of Esoteric Posthumousness

This chapter focuses on the presence in the history of modern art of what Marco Pasi defines as “esoteric posthumousness.” Posthumousness is the inability or unwillingness of an artist to have their artistic work promoted and recognised during their life. Posthumousness can be esoteric when the artist combines it with a deep interest in alternative spirituality, mysticism, and esoteric doctrines or practices. By focusing on a number of cases of “posthumous” artists who were deeply influenced by esoteric ideas and practices, such as Georgiana Houghton, Hilma af Klint, and Emma Kunz, this chapter shows how the relationship between posthumousness and alternative spirituality is not purely accidental, but points to some interesting patterns. The conclusion demonstrates that the projection of an artistic work into the hypothetical future of posthumousness is not a contingent aspect, but one of the factors that allows artists interested in esotericism to give full expression to their creativity.