The Psychology of Artists and the Arts

This book offers the first comprehensive examination of the psychodynamic theories of artistic creativity and the arts. Neither oversimplifying the complexity of these theories, nor bogging down in pedantic discourse, it honors the depth and richness of the work of Freud, Adler, Kris, Reich, Jung, and several lesser-known theorists, while making their theories readily accessible to the educated reader. After discussing the role of theory, the work offers each concept as a readily usable template for describing and understanding a work of art, whether painting, sculpture, music, dance, film, poetry, or prose. With these theories at hand, anyone interested in the arts will possess a far richer vocabulary for describing the artistic experience and a deeper understanding of the artist's creativity.

Author: Edward W. L. Smith
Publisher: McFarland and Company, Inc.
Published: 03/26/2012
Pages: 199
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d
ISBN13: 9780786468133
ISBN10: 0786468130
BISAC Categories:
- Art | Criticism & Theory

About the Author
Edward W.L. Smith has published nine nonfiction books, more than 50 essays, a memoir, magazine articles, short stories, and a good bit of poetry. He is an emeritus professor of psychology, Georgia Southern University, and lives in Statesboro, Georgia.