First published in 1962, The Faith of an Artist presents assembled personal statements of more than twenty men of creative genius in the present generation- poets, painters, architects and dramatists, novelists, and composers. These are all men of acknowledged eminence in their field: Graham Greene and Picasso, Cocteau, Vaughan Williams, and Le Corbusier speak directly to us of their lives, their artistic endeavours, and their personal creeds. From their statement the reader may not only gain insight into the inspiration which has fired them and the struggles which they have faced, but also be made aware of the personal and social beliefs of men whose creative desires have forced them to think out of their position in relation to society. Their criticism- often radical- is highly relevant not only to the artistic media in which they have accomplished so much, but to the society in which we all live. This book is an essential read for students of literature and Art.

Olli-Pekka Vainio is Professor Of Dogmatics, Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki.