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The neural basis of the hedonic quality of aesthetic experience

  • Interplay of the Two Cultures: Neuroaesthetics
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Abstract

In this review, I provide an overall description of the findings obtained from neuroimaging studies aimed at investigating the neural substrates underpinning aesthetic experience when viewing masterpieces of Classical art. In particular, I here argue the idea that aesthetic experience is hallmarked by a hedonic response to the stimuli. This response would be triggered, according to our proposal, by integration of emotional and cognitive processes at the level of the right insular cortex and, more specifically, of its anterodorsal sector. I then discuss the recent results suggesting that the hedonic quality characterizing aesthetic experience for artworks is absent when aesthetically appraising biological non-artist stimuli.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi di Parma, via Volturno 39/E, 43100, Parma, Italy

    Cinzia Di Dio

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  1. Cinzia Di Dio
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Correspondence to Cinzia Di Dio.

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This contribution is the written, peer reviewed version of a paper presented at the Golgi Symposium on Perspectives in Neuroaesthetics, held at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in Rome on June 13, 2011.

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Di Dio, C. The neural basis of the hedonic quality of aesthetic experience. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 23, 271–280 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-012-0173-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-012-0173-5

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