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The July issue of Wired magazine contains a fascinating article about research done by David Galenson from the University of Chicago, which suggests that creative people come in two types: quick and dramatic, and careful and quiet. Amazingly, these two genius profiles can be found in nearly every type of creative pursuit.
To reach this conclusion, he studied the auction prices of art, and charted the value of the artists' work versus their age at the time each work was painted. He discovered two distinct curves: For some artists, the curve peaked early, followed by a gradual decline. These artists - which Galenson christened "conceptual innovators" - created their most valuable masterpieces in their 20s and 30s. Think Pablo Picasso, who created his groundbreaking cubist style of painting at the ripe young age of 26.
The other type of curve rose gradually over time, peaking at a much later age. This type of creative genius Galenson calls "experimentalists." Artists in this group spend a lifetime tinkering and perfecting their style, and creatively bloom later in life. Artists in this group painted their masterworks later in life. Think Cezanne, who produced his most valuable works at age 67, the year he died.
When Galenson expanded his work to include book authors, musical composers, filmmakers and other artistic pursuits, amazingly he found the same two types of creative curves, and numerous examples of both archetypes. For example, conceptual genius Orson Welles created his breakthrough film, Citizen Kane at age 26, while experimentalist Alfred Hitchcock produced Vertigo at age 59. And Wolfgang Mozart produced The Marriage of Figaro at age 30, while Ludwig von Beethoven wrote Symphony No. 9 at age 54.
So if you find yourself becoming jealous of those twenty-something entrepreneurial millionaires who come up with wildly successful, creative products and services, take heart: Your best work may still be inside you, waiting to come out. Just keep the faith and keep working at and perfecting your craft!
(P.S. The Wired website says that a link to this article will be coming on July 11th) |
