Perceived psychopathology in a painter's work.

R. A. Blakelock was a highly acclaimed 19th Century visionary American painter who spent 25 years in mental hospitals. Students rated random samples of Blakelock's work completed before, during, and after his breakdown. Paintings completed after the start of his long-term hospitalization were rated lower in skill and higher in psychopathology than those done before his breakdown. The difference in perceived psychopathology persists when ratings for skill level are controlled. There were also differences due to training level of raters and whether or not the paintings were presented in color.