ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two groups of atypical artists, savants with autism and dementia patients who became artistic after the onset of their disease. The ages at which remarkable artistic skills emerge in each group lie at the opposite ends of life. Review of these artists’ accomplishments and defi cits unravels components in the relationship between art, talent, and brain. In this context, it is important to discuss the eff ects of slow brain changes on behavior in general and artistic behavior in particular, and the role of functional reorganization in art production with brain damage.
