Daily Mail

Tortured artist? It’s just a myth

- By Victoria Allen

CUTTING off his ear may have put Vincent Van Gogh top in any league of tortured artists.

But those believing Van Gogh’s agonies made him a better painter may have to think again.

For the myth of the tortured artist has been exposed in a study linking creativity to wellbeing. Dancers, inventors and those with passions for art and music rated their creativity higher on days they felt more positive.

Neurotics – more likely to be the tortured type – were less creative, scientists at Goldsmiths, University of London, told Creative Research Journal. Author Professor Joydeep Bhattachar­ya said: ‘The data suggests that being in a happy and energetic mood makes you more creative.’

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Agony: Van Gogh

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