Is that a Botticelli in your pocket?

By The Art Newspaper. From In The Frame
Published online: 09 May 2011

Move over oysters, art is the newest aphrodisiac. A recent study found that viewing art releases the feel-good chemical dopamine into the brain, eliciting the same feelings as being in love. A neurobiologist at the University College London scanned volunteers' brains as they looked at 28 pictures. Works by Botticelli and Monet caused increased blood flow to areas of the brain that are usually associated with romantic love. John Constable, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres and Guido Reni aroused the highest physiological response — a nearly 10% increase of blood flow — of the artists included in the study. Who knew Constable was such a lady killer?

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Comments

16 May 11
16:18 CET

MARY BULLOCK, STATEN ISLAND NY

Artists experience the same thing when they are making art - at least this one does because I strive to make something beautiful. Don't know what those who make down-beat art experience.

15 May 11
20:1 CET

VALERIE, PARIS

I would like to see Mark Rothko included in the study for verification purposes, at the very least....

11 May 11
4:46 CET

TOM, CHICAGO

Constable, Ingres and Reni elicit the greatest response?!?!? Come on - that result alone makes the research data suspect.

11 May 11
4:46 CET

DANI, CHICAGO

I don't want to diminish the skill and talent of these great artists, but maybe classic art makes us feel "romantic" because so much of classic art is filled with naked people, or at least exposed breasts!

10 May 11
16:51 CET

TONI TAYLOR, NYC

I knew it! Glad to have it confirmed.

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Comments

I knew it! Glad to have it confirmed....

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