Published: 2018-08-121

Neuropsychology of Visual Art. From the Work of Art Diagnosis to the Diagnosis of the Artist

Piotr Markiewicz
Humanities and Natural Sciences
Section: Articles
https://doi.org/10.31648/hip.322

Abstract

CNS lesions of different etiologies are often associated with following changes in cognitive, emotional and motor skills. This also refers to individuals involved in creating works of art, either vocationally or as non-professional activity. This implies the question of the nature of changes of artistic style after a neurologic episode and neuronal correlates of these changes. Neuropsychology is one of disciplines among these concerned with the empirical study of changes in artistic style after a neurologic episode. No coherent neuropsychological paradigm enabling the assessment of artistic expression change following brain injury has evolved. Subjective analyses of the artistic changes predominate. This research area remains rather vague. There are no satisfactory reflections over essential questions regarding the nature of relationship between damaged brain and artistic behaviors. This article presents a critical analysis of the “medical conception” which states that a single piece of art allows the diagnosis of any pathology, e.g. brain pathology. Also, a relatively consistent and pertinent research methodology in the assessment of changes in artistic style after brain injury, is proposed. Finally, a review of current key research trends, results of studies in the neuropsychology of visual art are accompanied by the critical analysis of a standard study design evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of changes in the artistic style following CNS damage.

Keywords:

neuropsychology, brain, visual art, cerebrovascular accident, dementia

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Markiewicz, P. (2018). Neuropsychology of Visual Art. From the Work of Art Diagnosis to the Diagnosis of the Artist. Humanities and Natural Sciences, (23), 132–167. https://doi.org/10.31648/hip.322

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