Creative Drive: Sketches in the collections of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium

This richly illustrated catalog explores six centuries of artistic creation through the lens of sketching. Published on the occasion of the exhibition Drafts: From Rubens to Khnopff, it showcases around 200 works and over 300 images drawn from the extensive collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

From underdrawings by Flemish Primitives and virtuoso oil sketches by Rubens and Van Dyck, to nature studies and Fernand Khnopff’s enigmatic sketchbooks, Creative Drive invites readers into the creative laboratories of great masters. These painted, drawn, or modeled works offer insight into the first sparks of inspiration — the moment where art begins to take shape.

Whether you’re passionate about Old Masters or intrigued by artistic process, this catalog is both a visual delight and an intellectual deep dive.