Jung’s ‘Red Book’ on display for first time

New York — Carl Jung’s Red Book, one of the most important — and long unpublished — works of psychology, was displayed for the first time Wednesday in New York.

The book, officially titled Liber Novus, comprises 205 pages of handwritten text and elaborate illustrations, all bound in red leather.

It is on display here at the Rubin Museum through January 25.

Written between 1914 and 1930, the Red Book as Jung himself nicknamed it, is considered one of the foundations for the Swiss social scientist’s thinking and exploration of his unconscious.

The exhibit coincides with its publication and English translation from the original German by W.W. Norton and Company publishers in London.

After Jung’s death in 1961 his family kept the book’s contents a close secret, in keeping with the psychologist’s wishes.

Although the world’s psychology community knew about the work, only a few dozen people were allowed access.

"This exhibition will cast new light on the genesis of Jung’s work and the making of modern psychology," museum curator Martin Brauen said.

Jung was a student and later a rival of Sigmund Freud.

AFP/Expatica