The Tortured-Artist Mystique Is A Myth: Misery Does Not Make For Better Art, If We Can Believe The Market

“A hue of angst and despair might make work more interesting – jury’s out on that – but it doesn’t make it more valuable. In fact, work created during what the researchers call ‘period of bereavement’ was up to 35 percent less valuable than a given artist’ other pieces. On top of that, the morose works were less likely to be included in the collections of major museums.”