Jung on Art: The Autonomy of the Creative Drive

by Tjeu van den Berk

In this book, Tjeu van den Berk examines C. G. Jung's personal perspective on art and how his work intensely engages with this theme. It analyses Jung’s profound reflections on artistic considerations such as how we experience art, the specific qualities in the perception of beauty, the nature of the creative process and the aesthetic attitude. Jung on Art considers Jung's feelings about art simply being 'art' rather than reducing it to a moral, political, religious or psychological product. It also discusses Jung’s notion that the artist is only a breeding ground for a piece of art, and once complete, the piece has an independent existence. Topics covered This book will be of great interest to all Jungian scholars, as well as those interested in the meeting of Jung and art.

Genres: Psychology

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Frederic De meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was vaguely aware of how Jung's ideas apply to the act of artistic creation (mainly from the book 'De scheppende mens' collecting some writing of Jung on the subject). This book by Tjeu van den Berk certainly shows how Jung's ideas on the subject are deeply embedded in his general theory of the mind. Tjeu manages to explain this in a crystal clear manner. A valuable read for any fan of Jung, or the practice of art (or both).

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great compilation

Great compilation of Jung’s thoughts on art, many gems to take from here. Beautiful ideas on the collective unconscious as well

[David Walczyk]

Great overview of Jung's perception of art that was produced pre-1950(ish).

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging and complex; I had to approach this book in small sections... to give myself a chance to chew on and absorb the meaning. Even with that, I will need to go back and re-read large portions.