That "progression" sequence is thought to be a myth. He just experimented with different styles throughout his life, as most artists do, and somebody put them in that order to create a narrative. mindhacks.com/2007/09/26/t...
The five pictures are by Victorian artist Louis Wain who painted cats through the whole of his life and continued through periods of intense psychosis. Almost every article on Wain uses them to demons...
The sequence haunted me, especially as a teenager in a family with many neurodivergents trying to understand myself and the others. An aunt suffered what I'd now recognize as autistic meltdowns and was institutionalized and I believed I was on my way there. The myth really was and is harmful.
Having lived with an untreated schizophrenic for over a year, I can see why someone would order them in that manner.
That's a really good point. I have several shirts covered in Victorian paisley patterns. They had an eye for complex, highly embellished designs.
I never new that. The fact that I saw it in a Time Life publication (albeit one from the 1960s) leant that narrative a certain gravitas. Thanks for the share!
It's true that the paintings might've been done any order, but it don't mean they weren't informed by psychosis. Many artists and writers with schizophrenia, bipolar, etc. are inspired by psychosis. Also, doing 'normal' work along side is common. When you have an episode, you're not always mad.
One does learn the most fascinating things here. I would note it's also possible that even if they were in the chronological order asserted by these accounts, that wouldn't necessarily be related to his illness. I think it's fairly common for artists to see things as more abstract over time.