The following is a story written by Cara August on Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.
Have you ever looked at an abstract painting and wondered what the artist was thinking? A splash of color on a canvas can stir something deep or nothing at all. According to new research from Duke University, the difference may come down to something highly personal: your memory.
In a study led by cognitive psychologist Anna Smith , researchers examined how people respond emotionally to abstract art, a genre that typically lacks a clear subject or narrative. Smith collaborated with Duke psychologist Elizabeth Marsh and philosopher Felipe De Brigard .
Instead of depicting recognizable scenes, abstract paintings invite viewers to interpret meaning. Smith and her collaborators found that this openness creates space for something powerful: the spontaneous resurgence of memories.
"Abstract art leaves more room for people to generate their own interpretations," said Smith. "Without a clear scene or object to focus on, viewers may rely more on their own experiences and memories to make sense of what they're seeing."
The team conducted a series of experiments in which participants viewed unfamiliar abstract paintings and rated how "moved" they felt. Across all experiments, a consistent pattern emerged: People reported stronger emotional reactions when a painting evoked a personal memory.
The effect weakened when participants were asked to deliberately recall a memory while viewing each artwork. The findings suggest that it isn't just memory that matters, but how it arises. When memories surface naturally, they may feel more meaningful and more closely tied to the artwork.
The study also reflects a broader shift in memory research, emphasizing how recollection is shaped by real-world cues rather than isolated recall tasks. Paintings, like conversations or music, can act as triggers that connect internal experience with external stimuli.
"When a painting suddenly reminds you of something meaningful from your life," Smith said, "that may be what makes the experience feel powerful."
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