Creativity and Melancholy…

Aristotle noted that those who excelled in the arts, politics and philosophy had a tendency toward melancholy. This notion is widespread, but in science, it remains controversial. Past studies have suggested that negative feelings can thoughts. Important figures in art have had a tendency toward depression, but research has not really demonstrated a direct link between sadness and many of the most lasting achievements in art history.

A new study examined the emotional state of three great composers through the full course of their lives. Using linguistic analysis software that scanned the text for positive and negative emotions, such as joy, love, grief and hurt, they analysed 1,400 letters written by Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt to their friends, colleagues and loved ones. They then compared that data with the compositions they produced in a given time period, looking in particular at their most important works. What they found appears to bear out popular ideas about creativity and melancholy: a link between periods of negative emotions, especially sadness, and artistic brilliance. The three composers all had turbulent lives, sometimes tragic and sometimes jubilant. The analysis suggests that the causes of these composers’ happiness and sadness were the same as any ordinary individual. The analysis also suggests that negative emotions have a causal effect on creativity. Creativity, measured by the number of compositions, is causally attributable to negative moods, in particular to sadness. Composers appeared to write more letters in times of negative emotions and fewer when they were happy. The data also showed that getting a permanent, tenured position and being married were associated with less productivity and less creative output.

Apparently, creativity does not like the “comfort zone”. It appears that the most lasting inspiration may come from the most difficult moments. So, let us suffer!