The theme of art as a communal project is explored through the motif of the creative ‘masterpiece,’ an idea that reappears at several key points in the narrative. Through the specific symbols of two as yet non-existent paintings—Johnsy’s depiction of the Bay of Naples and Behrman’s unpainted masterwork—successful creative work is shown over and over to be the product of collective effort, rather than that of an isolated genius.
The reader is first introduced to the motif of the masterpiece in its most explicit terms with the character of Behrman, whose apartment contains a canvas which has sat blank for twenty-five years in anticipation of his first great painting. In Behrman’s apartment, Sue informs him of Johnsy’s condition, and he says:
“Some day I vill baint a masterpiece, and ve shall all go away. Gott! yes.”
Immediately, the unpainted masterpiece finds a new purpose in the context of Johnsy’s illness. For the last twenty-five years, Behrman has wanted to paint a master work for its own sake; now, he seeks to paint a masterpiece for potential financial gain, so that he, Johnsy, and Sue can escape their poverty and poor living conditions.
Ultimately, Behrman finds a more immediate solution to their problem. Understanding Johnsy's needs, rather than producing and selling off a new painting, he instead paints a final leaf on the vine. Friendship has given him the motivation to push himself to new creative heights. Friendship also gives him his masterpiece’s ultimate form and content, shaped as the leaf’s image is by Johnsy’s specific fears and obsessions.
Behrman’s act also restores Johnsy’s sense of artistic ambition. After deciding that she wants to live, the first thing Johnsy says to Sue is that
“It is a sin to want to die." [...] "[S]ome day I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”
Johnsy’s desire to paint returns only through Behrman’s act of friendship. He restores her energy as a creative, and sets her on the path to pursuing her own professional goals. What’s more, Sue has been actively working on a painting while Johnsy has laid ill. She does so in part for her own ambition (knowing that doing so will help her improve), but also in order to help feed and care for Johnsy. It is clear that the desire to help fulfill one another's material, emotional, and psychic needs pushes these artists to develop their artistic talents more seriously.
