Give me gestalt! preference for cubist artworks revealing high detectability of objects

Claudia Muth, Robert Pepperell, Claus Christian Carbon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In cubist paintings by Picasso, Braque and Gris it is possible to detect everyday objects like guitars, bottles or jugs, although they are often difficult to decipher. In this art-science collaborative study the authors found that participants without expertise in cubism appreciated cubist artworks more if they were able to detect concealed objects in them. The finding of this strong correlation between detectability and preference offers wide implications for art history and human cognition as it points to a mechanism that allows us to derive pleasure from searching for and finding meaningful patterns.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)488-489
Number of pages2
JournalLeonardo
Volume46
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2013

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