Skissernas Museum – Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art 🇸🇪

When you visit the Skissernas Museum (Museum of Sketches for Public Art) at Lund University in Sweden, you step directly into the creative minds of world-renowned creators. Founded in 1934 by Ragnar Josephson, an art history professor who sought to illuminate the creative process of the artist, this unique museum focuses on the birth of a work of art.

Rather than only viewing finished pieces, you will explore a vast collection of over 30,000 items dedicated to preliminary sketches, drawings, and contest entries for contemporary monumental and public art, including sculptures, frescos, and reliefs. As you wander through the galleries, you can see how famous 20th-century Swedish artists like Isaac Grünewald developed their vision alongside celebrated Nordic and foreign masters, including Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, and Henry Moore.

The physical space itself tells a story, evolving from an old gymnastic hall where the public collection first opened in 1941 into a complex featuring architectural additions by Hans Westman and a 2005 expansion designed by Johan Celsing near the Lund University Library. Visit to gain a unique perspective on public art.

What to see at Skissernas Museum – Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art

• Explore over 30,000 sketches, drawings, and contest entries for public art.
• See preliminary works by foreign masters like Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, and Henry Moore.
• Discover foundational studies by 20th-century Swedish artist Isaac Grünewald.
• Experience architecture spanning an old gymnastic hall to modern additions by Hans Westman and Johan Celsing.

Visiting tips

Look for the museum near the Lund University Library to experience its unique architectural blend of a former gymnastic hall and modern additions.

How long: 1–2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Skissernas Museum – Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art is easy to reach on Lund’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lund travel guide.