PSIHOLOŠKE STUDIJE LIČNOSTI UMETNIKA

Abstract

The paper analyzes different theoretical and empirical approaches to the personality of the artist. It presents a synthesis of various relevant ideas and their perception from a more gen- eral level, to assemble these ideas into a broader picture concerning the issue of the artist’s per- sonality. The analysis shows that all psychological theories were focused on individual aspects of the personality of the artist. Psychoanalytic approaches are based on the idea of discovering personal neurotic roots hidden in the subconsciousness of the creator. Gestalt psychology sees creation as based on talent, and gift and the artist is observed as a person with specially devel- oped capabilities for perception and visual thinking. Humanistic psychology sees creativity as a universal human potential and trait theories are looking for the unique composition of personality traits in the artist. However, each one is individually important, because it con- tributed to the understanding of artistic creation and the personality of the artist as a whole. Throughout history, the artists were observed as great creators, or as madmen. Varieties and differences between the concepts could be understood by the fact that each artist is great and unique in his/her originality.