A recent study reinforces prior findings on the benefits of viewing original art compared to reproductions, revealing that engaging with authentic artwork can lower cortisol levels and positively affect the nervous system.
Currently in pre-print since its submission last October, the study titled “The Physiological Impact of Viewing Original Artworks vs. Reprints: a Comparative Study” was conducted by researchers at King’s College London in collaboration with the Courtauld Institute of Art.
The experiment included fifty adults aged 18 to 40, divided into two groups. One group viewed five original paintings in a gallery for 20 minutes, while the other group saw high-quality reproductions in a similar setting. Heart rate, skin temperature, and saliva samples were collected from participants before and after the sessions.
The artworks and their reproductions were late 19th-century European figurative paintings from the Courtauld’s collection, including works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Éduoard Manet, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gaugin. Data showed that participants viewing original art had better heart rate variability and a 22% drop in cortisol levels, indicating a more adaptable nervous system.
Though research supports the idea that museum visits can reduce anxiety and stimulate cognitive responses, King’s College researchers note a lack of studies examining how these reactions integrate across different body systems. The study suggests that art viewing promotes health similarly to exercise or meditation and positions museums as accessible spaces for preventive health care.
