How original art rewires your brain: The surprising science behind a trip to the museum

Looking at original paintings rewired your brain

Have you ever stood in front of a painting and felt... something? Maybe a spark, a chill, or that strange feeling that the work of art is almost talking to you? Well, it turns out there's a whole scientific reason behind these sensations. Art doesn't just look good on the wall - it actively rewires our brains, tapping into the neural circuits that make us, well, us. Erik Scherder, professor of neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. explains the well researched phenomenon:‘Watching art stimulates your brain on several levels. It evokes excitement, triggers imagination and makes you think about what you see. It's an ultimate enrichment, activating your brain to the fullest.’ And a fascinating study from the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague is here to shed more light on it.

The curious case of the girl with the pearl earring

Let's start with a story. Imagine this: You're looking at Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. It's one of the most famous paintings in the world, and seeing it in person is a very different experience from looking at a digital reproduction or even a high-quality print. Researchers at the Mauritshuis Museum wanted to understand why. So they recruited participants, strapped on some high-tech EEG headsets and eye-tracking equipment, and set them loose in the gallery to measure their brain activity as they looked at Vermeer's masterpiece.

Here's what they found: Compared to looking at reproductions, seeing the original triggered a tenfold increase in emotional response. That's right - ten times! The real kicker? It wasn't just any area of the brain that lit up like a Christmas tree. It was the precuneus, the part of the brain responsible for self-reflection, personal identity and those deep, introspective thoughts we all have when we're gazing into the middle distance.

In other words, when you look at Girl with a Pearl Earring in person, it's as if the painting holds up a mirror and makes you think about yourself, your life, your story. That is the magic of art - its ability to make you stop, lean in and think.

Why art and authenticity matter more than we realise

So why does all this matter? Can't we just save ourselves the trouble and get an ultra-HD print to hang up at home? According to the study, not quite. There's something about being in the physical presence of an original work that activates parts of the brain associated with self-reflection and memory. Original art isn't just about what you see - it's about what you feel, how you connect, and what parts of yourself are awakened in the process.Vera Carasso, director of the Netherlands Museum Association adds:’We live in a time when we are increasingly confronted with copies and interpretations of reality. You might think that real, genuine art or objects therefore become less important, but the opposite is true: real is actually becoming more important. An encounter with a real work of art is much more intense than with a copy. How wonderful that this effect has now been scientifically demonstrated and can be seen in brain activity. The results of this new research are important and relevant for the entire museum sector.‘

Art, self-reflection and the power of transformation

Let's take a step back. Why does all this sound a bit ... mystical? Why should the brain be interested in art? After all, art is just a bunch of colours and shapes on a canvas, right? Wrong. Research shows that when we engage with original art, we're engaging with ourselves. The brain processes art not as mere visual stimulation, but as a potential catalyst for self-reflection and personal transformation.

And that's what makes art so powerful. In spaces where transformation is not only welcomed but celebrated, such as galleries, creative studios or even personal sanctuaries, art is more than decoration - it is a tool that guides us deeper into our own consciousness. The Mauritshuis study is one of many that show that the impact of art is both profound and real. When we engage with art, we engage with ourselves, embracing our stories, revisiting our dreams and allowing ourselves to be transformed, piece by piece.

So the next time you find yourself in front of a painting, whether it's in a world-famous museum or on the wall of a cosy gallery, take a moment. Pause. Let your mind wander. You might just discover that art doesn't just change the way you see - it changes who you are.

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