E. Vigario Gañán, C. Manzano Espinosa, N. González García, A. Jaimes, J. Porta Etessam
Neurosciences and History 2025;13(2): 102-115
Article type:ORIGINAL
AUTHORS
E. Vigario Gañán1, C. Manzano Espinosa2, N. González García3, A. Jaimes4, J. Porta Etessam4
1Faculty of Information Sciences. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
2Department of Theories and Analysis of Communication. Faculty of Information Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
3Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
4Department of Neurology. Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Art is a human creation that arises thanks to the brain; therefore, both creation and perception depend on the functioning of the brain. Recent research in the fields of neurology and the arts has studied the potential link between the work of artists from different historical contexts and artistic movements who are thought to have had migraine with aura. The existence of this link has been deduced through the analysis of certain shared characteristics of their work, which it seems cannot be attributed either to the historical context or to the movements to which these artists belonged; therefore, they may have been inspired by migraine with aura.
Methods. To establish this link, the comparative method was used to determine pictorial connections with the work of artists retrospectively diagnosed with migraine with aura. We also analyse the historical context and artistic movement of each painter using a logico-historical approach.
Results. Artists with migraine with aura present characteristic painting styles that differentiate them from their contemporaries. In some cases, this neurological condition led to unique styles, such as the metaphysical painting of Giorgio de Chirico. However, in other cases it is more difficult to discern whether the distinctive features of these artists’ works are due to visual symptoms of migraine, other diseases, or the brilliance of the artist.
Discussion. This focus on the relationship with migraine with aura is a relevant approach when reviewing paintings; a more exhaustive review should go beyond purely pictorial analysis of artistic creation.
KEYWORDS
Aura, artistic inspiration, migraine, visual symptoms
Neurosciences and History 2025;13(2): 102-115