Science, Occultism, and the Art of the Avant-Garde in the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, scientific discoveries such as n-dimensionality, x-rays, and electromagnetism made their way into the discourse of Occultism, where they were subsequently reframed as the occult fourth dimension, clairvoyant x-ray vision, and thought vibration. As this article will show, modern artists such as the Early Abstract artists and the futurists, interested in Occultism as an avenue to a more spiritual art, integrated the by now ‘occultised’ ideas into their art and worldview.