This book presents the creative processes in art throughout history and cultures. A specific cognitive function, the homospatial process, is extensively documented and described, as well as short and long term scientific research in artistic creation and its applications to aesthetic appreciation. Drawing on research in psychology of creativity, creative operations, and relationship of mental health and illness to creativity, the author delves into the psychology of creativity in art and other fields, and presents intensive and experimental studies of Rembrandt's self-portraiture, controlled experimental assessment of prizewinning young artists, descriptions of three key creative processes, and in-depth exploration of the operation of the specific creative homospatial process in works of art throughout history. The book also presents specific controlled experimentation on use of the homospatial process, its application in the creation of clothing design, and two explorations of major artists and the relationship of mental health and creativity, ending with a reflection on the role and function of creativity in society.

Albert Rothenberg is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, USA. He is the Principal Investigator of the research project "Studies in the Creative Process", which focuses on the psychiatric and psychological bases of creativity in literature, art, psychotherapy, and science. His research focuses on creativity in science and art, world literature, and abnormal psychology. He has been a recipient of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Award, two NIMH Research Career Development Awards, Tufts Medical Alumni Award, Two Fellowships at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences, Fellowship at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study U.S. Army Certificate of Merit, the Golestan Award, and the Mesab Kovler Award. He is a twenty five years long official nominator for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Autorentext