Science Confirms What We've Always Known: Looking at Art is Good for You
There's something special that happens when you step into a gallery and stand before an original work of art. It's not just in your imagination – recent research from King's College London has proven that viewing original artwork provides genuine, measurable health benefits.
The Study That Validated Our Intuition
Researchers studied 50 people aged 18 to 40, dividing them into two groups. Half viewed original masterpieces by Van Gogh and Gauguin at the Courtauld Gallery in London, while the other half looked at reproductions of the same paintings in a non-gallery setting. The results were remarkable.
Those viewing original art experienced a 22% reduction in cortisol (the stress hormone) compared to just 8% for those looking at reproductions. Even more impressive, certain inflammatory markers linked to chronic disease fell by 28-30% among gallery visitors, with no changes in the reproduction group.
Dr Tony Woods, the lead researcher, explained: "The research clearly shows the stress-reducing properties of viewing original art and its ability to simultaneously excite, engage and arouse us."
It's Not Just About Relaxation
Here's what makes this study particularly fascinating: viewing art doesn't simply calm you down. The research showed that standing before original works actually engages three different body systems simultaneously – the immune system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system (which releases hormones).
Participants viewing original art in the gallery showed signs of both excitement and calm: their heart rates increased slightly, their heartbeat patterns varied (indicating engagement), and their skin temperature dipped – all while their stress hormones decreased. As Dr Woods noted, "Art doesn't just move us emotionally — it calms the body too."
The Power of the Original
What struck us most about this research is the emphasis on original artwork. Reproductions simply don't have the same effect. There's something about standing before the actual canvas – seeing the artist's brushstrokes, the texture of the paint, the way light plays across the surface – that engages us on a deeper level.
This is something we witness every day here at TAG Gallery. Visitors often tell us they "never intended to buy art today," but found themselves captivated by the physical presence of Gemma Lynch-Memory's abstract landscapes. The thick impasto oil paint, the intricate mark-making, the segregated colour chords – these aren't things you can experience through a screen or a print.
The Universal Benefits
Perhaps the most encouraging finding from the study is that these benefits are universal. The researchers assessed participants' emotional intelligence before the study and found it had no impact on individual responses. As Jenny Waldman from the Art Fund noted: "These benefits can be experienced by anyone."
You don't need an art history degree or a refined aesthetic sensibility to benefit from viewing original art. You simply need to show up and be present with the work.
Experience It Yourself
Whether you're dealing with the everyday stresses of modern life, looking for a moment of calm, or simply seeking inspiration, visiting a gallery offers scientifically-proven benefits for both mind and body. And unlike many wellness interventions, this one comes with the added bonus of potentially finding a piece that speaks to you deeply enough to take home.
Visit TAG Gallery at 149 Macquarie Street, Hobart, and experience the power of original art for yourself. With works by acclaimed Australian abstract landscape painter Gemma Lynch-Memory on display, you'll find pieces that not only calm your nervous system but might just transform your living space. Open [gallery hours] or contact us at 03 6107 9722 or gallery@thetagartgallery.com to arrange a private viewing.
Study source: King's College London research published October 2025, examining the physiological effects of viewing original artwork in gallery settings.