Throughout history, numerous artists -- including Edvard Munch, shown here about 1889 -- have <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F22%2Fworld%2Fthe-dark-side-of-creativity-vincent-van-gogh%2F">battled mental illness</a>, leading scientists to examine the link between creativity and mental health.
Throughout history, numerous artists -- including Edvard Munch, shown here about 1889 -- have battled mental illness, leading scientists to examine the link between creativity and mental health.
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Munch suffered from anxiety, which he poured into his paintings such as "The Scream."
Munch suffered from anxiety, which he poured into his paintings such as "The Scream."
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Vincent van Gogh battled severe depression, and f<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F11%2F13%2Fhealth%2Fvan-gogh-ear-art-science%2F">amously cut off his own ear</a>.
Vincent van Gogh battled severe depression, and famously cut off his own ear.
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In spite -- or perhaps because -- of his troubles, he created legendary masterpieces, such as his "Sunflowers" series, pictured here.
In spite -- or perhaps because -- of his troubles, he created legendary masterpieces, such as his "Sunflowers" series, pictured here.
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Paul Gauguin, a close friend of Van Gogh, also experienced severe bouts of depression and tried to end his life.
Paul Gauguin, a close friend of Van Gogh, also experienced severe bouts of depression and tried to end his life.
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Gauguin left his native France for Tahiti, where he produced a series of sensual paintings such as "The Spirit of the Dead Watch."
Gauguin left his native France for Tahiti, where he produced a series of sensual paintings such as "The Spirit of the Dead Watch."
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Spanish painter Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was another famous artist who experienced mental breakdowns.
Spanish painter Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was another famous artist who experienced mental breakdowns.
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His paintings often depicted images of insanity, but also milder themes such as his "Children with a Cart," shown here.
His paintings often depicted images of insanity, but also milder themes such as his "Children with a Cart," shown here.
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Legendary artist Pablo Picasso, pictured here in his atelier in Mougins in the 1960s, is said to have struggled with depression.
Legendary artist Pablo Picasso, pictured here in his atelier in Mougins in the 1960s, is said to have struggled with depression.
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That didn't stop Picasso from producing canvasses of vivid and explosive color, such as "Homme et Femme au Bouquet," shown here.
That didn't stop Picasso from producing canvasses of vivid and explosive color, such as "Homme et Femme au Bouquet," shown here.
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Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama voluntarily checked herself into a psychiatric institution in the 1970s, where she became a permanent resident.
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama voluntarily checked herself into a psychiatric institution in the 1970s, where she became a permanent resident.
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Obsessive themes are dominant in her work, and her installations, such as the one shown here, often feature endless dots.
Obsessive themes are dominant in her work, and her installations, such as the one shown here, often feature endless dots.
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