Neuropsychology of Art

<p>The significance of art in human existence has long been a source of puzzlement fascination and mystery. In Neuropsychology of Art Dahlia W. Zaidel explores the brain regions and neuronal systems that support artistic creativity talent and appreciation.<br>Both the visual and musical arts are discussed against a neurological background. Evidence from the latest relevant brain research is presented and critically examined in an attempt to clarify the brain-art relationship language processing and visuo-spatial perception. The consequences of perceptual problems in famous artists along with data from autistic savants and established artists with brain damage as a result of unilateral stroke dementia or other neurological conditions are brought into consideration and the effects of damage to specific regions of the brain explored. A major compilation of rare cases of artists with brain damage is provided and the cognitive abilities required for the neuropsychology of art reviewed.<br>This book draws on interdisciplinary principles from the biology of art brain evolution anthropology and the cinema through to the question of beauty language perception and hemispheric specialization. It will be of interest to advanced students in neuro-psychology neuroscience and neurology to clinicians and all researchers and scholars interested in the workings of the human brain.</p>