The archetypal origins and symbols of the image in abstract painting

This research examines the recurring imagery in abstract painting in relation to concepts derived from occultism, dialectical philosophy, universal symbolism, and analytical psychology. It analyzes how Spiritualism, Theosophy, and Anthroposophy influenced the artistic visions of early pioneers of abstract art—Hilma af Klint, Piet Mondrian, Wassily Kandinsky, František Kupka, and Kazimir Malevich. The study argues that the images in abstract painting are not merely aesthetic forms but are constructed through a conscious choice grounded in metaphysical, philosophical, and psychological frameworks. Within this context, the ontological and metaphysical sources upon which these images rely are investigated. Furthermore, the research explores how ancient esoteric traditions—such as Hermeticism, Gnosticism, Platonism, Neoplatonism, Eastern Mysticism, Kabbalah, and Alchemy—not only shaped occult movements that influenced abstract art, but also left a profound impact on modern philosophy and psychology. The study investigates the symbolic structures and systems of thought that bridge art, philosophy, and psychology through shared themes and representations. It seeks to answer how universal symbols, images, and archetypes—believed to originate from a collective field of consciousness—can be interpreted through the lens of analytical psychology. Ultimately, the aim of this research is to demonstrate that the knowledge of universal symbolism, which has been transmitted across centuries via esoteric traditions, exists within the collective unconscious, has consistently manifested throughout the history of art, is linked to the archetypes of the human psyche, and has played a formative role in the emergence of imagery in abstract painting.