Desperate Necessity : Writings On Art And Creativity In Psychoanalytic Theory

Eugene Glynn was a practicing psychoanalyst, an art critic and Maurice Sendak's life partner. Most of these essays were published in Village Voice in 1960's and 1970's. What connects them and what he points out in "Legend, Myth and Magic" is the link between psychoanalysis and art history. We take for granted so many ideas of artistic motivation, which have their origin in Freud's work. There even exists a corporal connection from art history to psychoanalysis in the form of Ernst Kris, student of both. As a sceptic I find psychoanalysis a somewhat dubious practice (in art in particular), though at its best it is very insightful. Glynn finds himself in the same dangerous territory, acquitting himself well. He uses his knowledge with deft restraint, careful not overreach and is intolerant of those who do. I reread some of Freud after reading this book.