Scientists Map Brain Activity During Aesthetic Experiences

Researchers at the Laboratory of Neuroaesthetics in Florence, Italy, are using electrodes to track brain and body responses to art. The team, led by Francesco Goretti, studies participants while they view artifacts from the Galileo Museum, including a brass astrolabe once used by Galileo. They measure neural activity in the visual cortex, heartbeat, and skin conductance to pinpoint the biological basis of beauty.

The project builds on work by Semir Zeki, who first identified brain regions activated by judgments of beauty in 2011. Current research aims to understand the complex interplay of sensory, emotional, and personal systems when experiencing art. Researchers also use hyperscanning—simultaneously recording brain activity from two viewers—to see if neural signals synchronize.

Despite advances in neuroimaging, scientists acknowledge challenges in fully capturing subjective experiences. Identifying what someone feels remains difficult, even when measuring how much they feel. The team plans to analyze data from many participants this summer, seeking patterns that might reveal universal elements of aesthetic response.