Vincent Van Gogh’s landscapes, from the mesmerizing yellow wheat fields to the intricately twisted olive trees, have consistently captivated art enthusiasts. Recent research reveals that these paintings, which adults find delightful, are equally captivating for infants.
Innate Biases in Art Appreciation
The study suggests that certain inherent biases in our visual preferences are present from infancy and persist into adulthood. While life experiences undeniably shape our art preferences as we age, there seems to be an intrinsic connection between the aesthetic responses of adults and the sensory biases of infants, particularly towards luminance and color contrasts.
The Study’s Methodology
Philip McAdams, the lead author of the study from the University of Sussex, and his team embarked on an intriguing experiment. They presented infants aged between 18 and 40 weeks and adults aged between 18 and 43 years with iPads displaying a curated selection of 10 Van Gogh landscapes out of a possible 40. These paintings were displayed in pairs, resulting in 45 unique combinations for each participant.
For the infant group, each baby was seated on a parent’s lap in a dimly lit room and was observed via camera as they viewed the paired paintings for five-second intervals. McAdams explained the methodology, stating, “If a baby looks longer at one image versus the other, then we say they have a visual preference for that image.”
Conversely, adults were shown the same 45 pairs of images but were tasked with selecting the painting they found most appealing.
Findings and Implications
By analyzing data from 25 adults to derive an average pleasantness score for each artwork and comparing it with the average viewing time from 25 infants, the team discerned a fascinating pattern. Infants constantly gaze longer at artworks that adults rated higher in terms of pleasantness. Among the artworks, Van Gogh’s “Green Corn Stalks’ emerged as the top shared preference.
McAdams further elaborated on the findings, suggesting that infants, much like the Goldilocks principle, prefer stimuli that are neither overly simplistic nor overly complex. They are most engrossed by stimuli that are “just right.” However, this “just right” metric is fluid, evolving with age and the infant’s experiences.
This study offers a compelling insight into the continuity of visual preferences from infancy to adulthood. It underscores the timeless allure of masterpieces like those of Van Gogh, which resonate across age groups, transcending the boundaries of time.
Similar studies
Yes, there have been several studies that explored the reactions of infants or adults to specific artists or art forms. Here are some notable ones:
- Kandinsky and Abstract Art: A study conducted at the University of Uppsala in Sweden found that both adults and infants spent more time looking at abstract patterns inspired by Wassily Kandinsky compared to other random patterns. This suggests an inherent preference or interest in certain abstract forms.
- Picasso and Facial Recognition: Researchers at the University of Vienna explored how infants reacted to the distorted faces in Pablo Picasso’s artworks. The study revealed that infants as young as four months could recognize the abstracted faces as representations of human faces, indicating an innate ability to decipher facial features even in abstract art.
- Classical vs. Modern Art: A study from the University of Otago in New Zealand presented infants with classical paintings from artists like Leonardo da Vinci and modern art pieces. The results showed that infants displayed a longer gaze duration for classical art, suggesting a possible inherent preference for classical over modern art.
- Music and Visual Art: A collaborative study between the University of California and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music explored how adults reacted emotionally to different artworks when paired with music. The research indicated that music could enhance or alter the emotional response to visual art.
- Museum and Art Engagement: A study conducted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York examined how adults interacted and engaged with artworks in a museum setting. The findings revealed patterns in viewing duration, emotional responses, and preferences for certain art periods or styles.
These studies underscore the profound impact art has on individuals, regardless of age, and highlight the innate preferences and biases humans might have towards specific art forms or artists.
