The Power of Art: How Viewing Visual Masterpieces Can Boost Wellbeing and Promote Meaning in Life

The simple act of looking at a piece of visual art can have a profound impact on one’s wellbeing, according to a recent study that has shed new light on the benefits of art viewing. The research, conducted by a team of psychologists from the University of Vienna, Trinity College Dublin, and Humboldt University of Berlin, found that viewing art can improve eudemonic wellbeing – that is, wellbeing associated with meaning in life and personal growth.

The study examined decades of scattered research, providing for the first time a clear and comprehensive overview of when, where, and why art viewing is used to promote wellbeing. The review of 38 previously published studies covering a total of 6,805 participants revealed that viewing art can boost wellbeing in various settings – from museums and galleries to clinics and hospital settings, as well as through the medium of virtual reality.

A wide range of art types, including figurative, abstract, modern, and contemporary paintings, photography, sculpture, and installations, were found to have a positive impact on wellbeing. The researchers emphasized that viewing art is not just a luxury, but can be a meaningful way to support wellbeing, whether as a hobby or as a targeted health intervention.

The study’s findings have significant implications for healthcare providers and policymakers, who are encouraged to integrate art into mental health strategies as a low-cost and easily accessible resource. The researchers also created a new set of guidelines – the Receptive Art Activity Research Reporting Guidelines (RAARR) – to standardize future research and ensure methodological consistency across studies.

Lead author MacKenzie Trupp stated, “Our research suggests that viewing art can meaningfully support wellbeing. By reframing art as a low-cost, accessible wellbeing resource, this research opens up exciting possibilities for integrating art into everyday environments and public health strategies.”

Assistant Professor Claire Howlin added, “While the mental health benefits of creating art have been widely explored, the impact of viewing art has been under-researched and undervalued. Yet visual art is present and accessible in everyday spaces – museums, galleries, hospitals, and at home. Understanding its effects can unlock new avenues for promoting wellbeing through everyday encounters with art.”

The study’s findings are timely, given the World Health Organization’s recommendation since 2019 to use creative approaches alongside routine clinical care. As departments of health and arts councils across Europe seek high-quality evidence to identify which types of arts can be used for each type of medical outcome, this review will help to inform future research and planning.