More than the Sum of its Parts: Perceiving Complexity in Painting
- Author(s)
- Laura Commare, Raphael Rosenberg, Helmut Leder
- Abstract
To date the complexity of an image is most often equated with its visual complexity. However, recent studies have shown that when it comes to artworks, complexity ratings are also influenced by semantic processes. The present study investigates the relationship between perceived image complexity and content-related processes in paintings by comparing ratings of perceived complexity from experts (art historians) and nonexperts. We show that the processing of the different dimensions of an artwork's content (preiconographic, iconographic, and iconological contents) all independently contribute to both groups' perceptions of an artwork's complexity. However, experts rated artworks to be less complex than nonexperts and considered different dimensions regarding the artwork` s content.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Art History, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology
- Journal
- Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts
- Volume
- 12
- Pages
- 380-391
- No. of pages
- 12
- ISSN
- 1931-3896
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000186
- Publication date
- 11-2018
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 604019 Art history
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Applied Psychology
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-perceiving-complexity-in-painting(81804f2b-a677-4f06-8376-a26913f68667).html