Viewing art in galleries has an immediate positive impact upon the body according to new research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London.
The research, which hasn't yet been peer-reviewed, was undertaken by King's IoPPN on behalf of the Art Fund and Psychiatry Research Trust, and studied the physiological responses of participants while viewing masterpieces by world-renowned artists including Manet, Van Gogh and Gauguin in a gallery.
50 volunteers aged 18-40, viewed either original artworks at The Courtauld Gallery in London or reproductions of the same paintings in a matched, non-gallery environment. Participants were monitored for heart rate variability and skin temperature using research-grade digital watches to track levels of interest and arousal.
Cortisol levels - the key stress hormone - fell by an average of 22% in the gallery group, compared to just eight per cent for the reproduction group. Those viewing original art also had more dynamic heart activity - indicating that art engages the body through both emotional arousal and stress regulation.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) - which are linked to stress and a number of chronic diseases - dropped by 30 per cent and 28 per cent respectively for those viewing original art, which no change observed in the reproduction group. This suggests art has a potential calming effect on the body's inflammatory responses.
Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression. The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.
Dr Tony Woods, the study's first author from King's IoPPN
Dr Tony Woods, the study's senior author from King's IoPPN said, "Our unique and original study provides compelling evidence that viewing art in a gallery is 'good for you' and helps to further our understanding of its fundamental benefits. In essence, art doesn't just move us emotionally - it calms the body too."
"Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression. The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body."
The Chair of the Psychiatry Research Trust, Professor Carmine Pariante, said, "We are delighted to have worked so collaboratively with the Art Fund. The Trust funds research and education in mental health and this type of interdisciplinary research, relevant to both science and wellbeing, is exactly the type of studies that are needed to understand how arts influences both mind and body."
The Physiological Impact of Viewing Original Artworks vs. Reprints: A Comparative Study (Courtney Worrell, Madeline Kirkpatrick, Camila Ribeiro Perez, Pierette Fortuna, Leyla Bumbra, Lucy Bradnock & Anthony J. Woods) has been uploaded as a pre-print to the King's College London Research Portal.
