Viewing original works of art in a gallery can relieve stress, reduce the risk of heart disease and strengthen the immune system, according to the first study of its kind.
Researchers measured participants' physiological responses while viewing masterpieces by world-famous artists, including Manet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, in a gallery.
They found that art simultaneously had positive effects on the immune, hormonal and nervous systems—something that had never been documented before. The results show that viewing original art not only moves people emotionally, but also calms the body and promotes health and well-being.
The study, conducted by King's College London, involved 50 people aged 18 to 40 in the UK. Half viewed original works of art at the Courtauld Gallery in London, and the other half viewed copies of the same paintings outside the gallery.
Both groups wore sensors that continuously measured heart rate and skin temperature throughout the 20-minute session, and took saliva samples before and after viewing.
From these samples, the researchers found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped by an average of 22% among those viewing original works of art, compared to only 8% viewing reproductions.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha), associated with stress and a number of chronic diseases, decreased by 30% and 28%, respectively, among gallery participants, with no change in the other group. This suggests that art has a potentially calming effect on the body's inflammatory responses.
Dr Tony Woods, a researcher at King's College London, said: 'Research clearly shows that viewing original art reduces stress, as well as its ability to simultaneously excite, engage and excite us.
“Stress hormones and inflammatory markers such as cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are associated with a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression.
“The fact that viewing original art reduced these rates suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both the mind and body.”
The study also found that art engages the immune system, nervous system and endocrine system, which is responsible for producing hormones.
Researchers found signs of agitation among those viewing art in the gallery, including a decrease in skin temperature, an overall increase in heart rate, and a change in heartbeat patterns.
“From a scientific perspective, the most interesting finding is that art had a positive effect on three different body systems—immune, endocrine and autonomic—simultaneously,” Woods said. “This is a unique find, and we were truly surprised to see it.
“In short, our unique and original research provides compelling evidence that viewing art in a gallery is good for you and helps us further understand its fundamental benefits. Essentially, art doesn't just move us emotionally—it also soothes the body.”
Each person's emotional intelligence was also assessed before the study using questionnaires, but the researchers said this did not influence individual responses.
Jenny Waldman, director Art The foundation, which co-funded the study, said: “This study proves for the first time what we have long felt at the Art Fund – that art is actually good for you.
“What's particularly exciting is that the results show that these benefits are universal – they can be felt by anyone. We want to encourage everyone to take the time to visit their local museum or gallery and experience these powerful effects for themselves.”
