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Ragnar Josephson’s The Birth of the Work of Art transforms how we think about creativity by shifting attention from the finished masterpiece to the sketch. First published in Swedish in 1940, the book traces the artistic process from first idea to final work, showing how art emerges through revision, transformation, and dialogue with tradition.
Through case studies from the Renaissance to modern art, Josephson develops a theory of creativity that explores the interplay of vision and execution, imitation and invention, content and form. His reflections also inspired the founding of Skissernas Museum – the Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art – in Lund, home to the world’s largest collection of sketches.
Appearing here in English for the first time, this volume presents Josephson’s ground breaking ideas alongside new essays highlighting their continued relevance today.
Josephson was Professor of the History of Art in the mid-20th century. He was also a writer and a Member of the Swedish Academy, as well as Director of the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm.
Max Liljefors is Professor of Art History and Visual Studies at Lund University
Ludwig Qvarnström is an Associate Professor of Art History and Visual Studies at Lund University
PART I
Author's preface
1 The theories
2 From form to form
3 Between content and form
4 From work to style
PART II
5 Ragnar Josephson Patrick Amsellem
6 Art-historiographical reflections on The Birth of the Work of Art Margaret Olin
7 Rules, Signposts and Directions: Creative Vision and Creative Labour in Josephson’s The Birth of the Work of Art Matthew Rampley
8 The King’s Third Arm: Ragnar Josephson on the Creativity of Leonardo da Vinci Whitney Davis
Sources of illustrations
Index