Louis Wain must have been a wonderful person at heart. After having nearly died after falling off a bus that was swerving to avoid a cat, his first question, after waking from his coma, was whether the cat survived.
Wonderful video. I'm happy to see him discussed as a complex person and not simply as a spectical of "look at how this guy's paintings got weirder as he grew more insane". About a decade ago I had to study an artist of my choice for a high school drawing class. At 16 I loved drawing fractal type pictures and I was also mentally ill and autistic. I found Lois and fell in love with his art. My teacher would have rather me studied somebody she thought was worthwhile. But I stood firm as I felt some sort of connection to his art and life experience. Now a days one of the main ways I make money though my art is my drawing portraits of people's pets in a variety of shapes rather than realism. I have no doubt that Louis's art has influenced the art I create. I think it was very worthwhile to study his work.
This is such an interesting episode, especially for someone with a huge interest in Louis Wain, like me. I knew some of the history of his own condition but hadn't realised that there was more than just him in the family with mental health conditions, but that shouldn't have been such a surprise knowing how that's really quite common. I'm glad he was still able to produce saleable works of art until towards the end of his life but I still can't help feeling sorry for him. To me, he seems like the type of bloke you'd like to give a big hug to, if he'd let you and reassurances that everything was going to be OK. It's lovely that he had a member of staff that he got on well with that made him rock cakes.
Well, considering 100 years of research proved mental illness is NOT hereditary but a social condition, and a great many people pretended to be mentally ill so not having to care for themselves I find this comment hysterical. Let us not forget, it wasn't until Timothy Leary made such a public splash that people actually began attempting to change and treat mental dysfunctions. With great success I would add. Using psychedelics has a 95% success rate with no adverse side effects. It also works after the first dose. But we can't have that now can we. Also, behavioral cognitive therapy has the same success rate across the board, but again, we can't have that either. If we got rid of welfare housing and ssi benefits for those pretending to be dysfunctional, I promise you we'd see this nonsense mental illness crap all over again. That is not to say mental dysfunction doesn't exist. It does, but honestly, preferring to be alone, thinking outloud, not respecting someone enough to look them in eye when speaking, being labeled a mental dysfunction.. really. What's next, if you breathe air, if you sometimes feel tired, if you get hungry more than once a day of you get thirsty more than once a day ask your doctor about this pill. With side effects that have a60% chance of killing you and a 100% chance of killing you if you stop taking it, it's the cure for you. Gtfoh. Some people simply don't want to put in the work of being a productive human. If he was mentally ill then so to his creations and thus we should shun. Not benefit financially from. I wonder, if we were still a manufacturing society, if we could sustain an economy without these so-called service based industries of mental health care, drug rehabs, illegal drugs so pharmaceutical companies and the cia/ mi5 alone benefit, would we still be trying so hard to normalize dysfunction? Especially considering the good we pretend to believe in tells us to stone these people to death.
Your videos are so informative. I really appreciate how you seem to understand so many artists. Louis really suffered so much. He was clearly a genius. Amazing output. As a long-time artist myself, all that I now create goes through Christ's approval which has calmed me down immensely. Just because an artist can create most anything, it helps to be discerning. The Jesus Whom I know is very funny and enables me to simplify what I create. He has saved my brain and my whole body many times. I had a 2nd grade crazy teacher years ago who beat we students about our heads with heavy textbooks. Eventually after I called upon Jesus at 30 years old, I asked Him to repair the damage to my mind. He did - I could feel His electrifying-healing-energy many times as He repaired the damaged parts. Incredible. Due to all of His 'repairs' on me over many years, I am a walking miracle. Thank you so much for all of your videos. Your voice is calm and easy to listen to. USA
Very interesting and being a cat lover I owe him much then, people who have dementia in later life hate taking off their clothes to bathe (although some will repeatedly undress themselves as part of their condition) in fact they hate it possibly because they don't remember what water is and it frightens them, that is a theory now taught in dementia training. Feeling the cold more is a natural progression of old age or hypothyroidism. The colours in many of those paintings though are vibrant and seem to me similar to some of Van Gogh's work, what ever condition he suffered from his circumstances i.e where he lived or where he was confined at any given time of his life didn't stop him produced some wonderful art and his legacy will remain forever.
As a doctor I am fascinated by your insights . The Cat lithographs I immediately recognised but was unaware of their origin or the artist . It would be very interesting if you managed to 'package' so called Autistic Spectrum personalities in the artistic world and present their cases . Many thanks .
More than anything, his mental health decline i believe mostly because of his old age. Louis wain is someone that need lots of hug and guidance. I really hope that he live today so he can get proper mental treatment. And also his 'scandalous marriage' will not so called scandalous today.
Thanks Cefri, He probably had vascular dementia at the very end of his life, but his psychotic illness started when he was 57! But you're right he would get better treatment today - there really wasn't much treatment available in the first half of the 20th century.
Thank you for doing Louis justice, finally a prudent scientific approach in assessing his mental state. Unfortunately Louis is still often seen through quasi-hypothesis of schizophrenia put forward during times when psychology was just developing by Bedlam doctor named Maclay who wanted to obtain prominence at Louis' expense. From what I heard schizophrenia develops quite early, in late 20-ies or early 30-ies, Louis' problem worsened during much later stages of life. The greatest offence caused by Maclay and likes of him is that Louis' wonderful art and experimentation are being called "deterioration of mind" - just because they are abstract and Cubism-like. If they were produced by incapacitated mind they would be meaningless gibberish, not the beautiful intricate highly-structured pieces of art they really are.
Thank you, I agree it is wrong to label/dismiss the work of artists with mental health problems as creations of the mad. Whatever his diagnosis, he was a great artist.
Thank you for caring and explaining this. Wherever possible we need to right the wrongs of the past with new understanding and explanation. So many creative people have been maligned because of their mental problems, which are now being understood as "brain" abnormalities or differences, not character flaws that are deliberate. With greater understanding there are ways to work around the problems.
As ever, Dr. Yorston, you have replaced criticism with understanding and laid bare the path to kindness. And isn't kindness the medicine to many ills. Your words are much appreciated.
Oh Professor...just when I was enjoying your extensive knowledge of mental health with a balanced compassionate manner, you then in the last few minutes of your presentation added a connection with Schizophrenia and Cat's faeces. After having two cats in the last few years who are no longer with me I'll just accept that they were very clean and weren't in the habit of flashing their faeces around the Home. Another great piece of work from you...your simple explanations of such complex mental health conditions is so helpful in allowing a better understanding of what so many people in society live with...thank you again.
Thank you for a great case study and analysis. The drawings of the more abstract ‘wall paper’ cats appear to be composed of fractals and not just mere drawings. Additionally later you state seeing fractals are commonly seen/experienced by those with ASD and Scz. When you look at his paintings some of the cats look ‘electrified’. Maybe these non-realistic appearing cats are him painting how he actually saw the world. If you look up Van Gogh ‘Starry night’ and the physics of turbulent flow you will find it very interesting. Van Gogh’s style differed markedly according to his mental state.
Thanks Brasschick, it is the emotional response to fractal imagery that differs and people see what they like, so yes, maybe he saw fractals in the fur of cats.
Thank you Mr Yorston, I really loved this video, I now have learned a lot more about this brilliant artist. I saw some of his work exhibited in the Bedlam hospital in London, years ago. Very impressive and I was surprised the works were quite large, as I only knew his work from postcards.
I had never heard of this artist until I watched the film, but your approach is very complete, informative and insightful. Thank you very much, this is really a very interesting episode.
Thank You Professor. Louis Wain had this preoccupation with electricity and Nietzsche had one with the charged static around lightning. Odd. Would love to see a documentary from you on him too. Thanks.
Last and most important part of my research one set schizophrenia can be seen in history although diagnosed is in dispute he diagnosed with schizophrenia in year 1916 at age 57 he committed to mental institution in year 1924 he kept drawing cats he died in year 1939 at age 79 he was penniless in psychiatric hospital he suffered from paranoid delusions and asperger syndrome he get schizophrenia from tragic events in his life death of his cat peter and one of his sister none of his five sisters get married his youngest sister at age thirty get insane admitted to asylum iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers thank you for great efforts encourage us to read learn new information stay safe blessed good luck to you your family friends
I just recently found your channel and have subscribed. Your videos are lovely, balanced and do justice to the people you talk about. I was delighted to recognize the artist, Louis Wain in this video after having watched the movie with Benedict Cumberbatch a couple of years ago. I love cats, the Victorian times, period films, and Benedict Cumberbatch is one of my favorite actors to watch and the movie was really well done. I felt a camaraderie with Louis Wain as I was watching the film, and was sad to see how many setbacks he had in his life as he was clearly a gifted man. I am also very creative and love so many things about the arts, the creative process, the natural world, and artists. I have an actual compulsion to make art or do something creative. I am not happy unless I am. It calms me and that's how I see art, not as a money maker or as a way to make a living (although that would be great if that were possible), but as a way to make myself content and bring a feeling of happiness to anyone who can relate to my art. It makes me angry to see art and artists exploited by extremely wealthy people -- they have ruined it just like they ruin everything else. After my mom passed away in 2021, in my grief I had an existential crisis and was having trouble knowing who I was, why I am here, my purpose in life. It was quite scary as I've never experienced that before. I became enmeshed with my mother as I was her caregiver during the covid years and had trouble finding help for her and support for myself. A few months after my mom's passing, I had a eureka moment after I watched a video with four young women who had the diagnosis of Asperger's, and I could related strongly to every one of them even though they all were very individual and different. I believe I also have ADHD, and had figured that out over 20 years ago after having read several of Dr. Daniel Amen's books. I am now researching and reading about these conditions to understand my own life challenges and how to navigate them.
When something gets repeated enough times it gathers authority and people stop thinking about whether there are other explanations. As far as I can tell, this is the first time, anyone has even considered an organic psychosis to account for his problems.
Loved your erudition and psychological insight unto the fascinating character. However, as a former Anglo Catholic ordinand I worry that my disturbed nature may be the cause! Lol - in modern parlance! I find all your video studies both beguiling and highly educational, as well as thought-provoking and utterly enjoyable. Your easy style is somewhat like Prof Kinderman of LPL Uni whose books and internet courses to be similar in delivery. Thank you. Rob
Thank you for sharing this! Very interesting and educational. So glad I decided to look up Louis Wain here via YT. As I have a soft back book: Eccentric Cat's of Louis Wain Art Prints [24 count]. Not knowing, anything...about his personal life, etc. Then finding out about the movie-made, about his life. Which I plan to rent or buy. 😀👍🇺🇸
I have a video suggestion. I'd love to learn the psychiatric view on: 'Charles Lindbergh, Hero or Narcissistic Murderer, or Both?' I've read books by his wife and his daughter who seem in awe of him while he also seems to be an enigma to them, partly due to his extensive abscences but also due to his personality. His wife seemed to eventually escape him, his burial alone in Hawaii reads like an (appropriate) act of defiance on her part.
I love what you do. I'm myself mentally ill. I'm also a genealogist. I come from a long line of sociopaths, but I got lucky and have BPD. I'd enjoy sharing my family's tree
I watched the movie such a brilliance in the art of cats 🐈⬛ l actually was so moved by his life story l spent a fair time actually crying … l am so pleased he had such a great love in his life with his wife … and his cat Peter. I wish more movies were made about people of great brilliance to make us aware of the times they lived in and the struggles they had to endure. I am so pleased to have learned about Louis Wain and tomorrow l am going to see if l can find a print of one of his cat paintings to keep ♥️ l think he would have liked that very much… 😊
Thank you for such a sweet comment. ❤ I loved the movie too! I had never heard of Louis and was so grateful that such a nice movie was made of him. I didn't know I myself am on the spectrum, but I am now self-diagnosed and it makes me happy to be in good company with people like Louis Wain and many other special people. You've inspired me to also find a print of Louis' to add to my collection. 🐱🌼
My college freshman Psychology text book had half a page devoted to his cat paintings, as firm "evidence" of the deterioration of a schizophrenic mind. It made a big impression on me. Now we find this was perhaps not the case.
It seems the brilliantly creative people never deal with money and end up being paupers. I’ve forgotten how to say this in Latin but the quote is “ The thing speaks for itself! “
@@professorgraemeyorston Thank you. Also thank you for the wonderful historical characters and your interpretation of the possibilities of their mental illness. I am curious about your background and your studies.
Fascinating and rather sad. To me he sounds like a psychotic. I looked after a close family member who was psychotic but had also had a tentative diagnosis of schizophrenia. He had been an alcoholic/ drug-addict for a large part of his turbulent life and had many accidents and injuries from assaults. He had numerous practical talents and an excellent memory until he got older. When he was young he had been marked by OCD behaviour in his extreme tidiness and constant rearrangement of objects. I was able to wean this family member of anti-psychotic drugs as I could see they made his condition much worse. I did this with agreement from his psychiatrist. It was hard work. I need to watch this again. I think the "acid-trip" cats must be tongue-in-cheek and the comment about psychotics having religious conversions is rather provocative but your calm delivery is very attractive.
Thank you for an interesting presentation. I would be interested to know the definition of a schizotypal personality disorder and how this differs from ASD and schizophrenia. Is schizophrenia always characterised by paranoia?
The story about Asperger and the removal of his name from the nosology sounds intriguing. Lets hear it. Plus the speculation about schizophrenia and evolution.
Ill have to watch that movie! Have you ever done a video about Abraham Lincoln or Slyvia Plath? What about King Saul from the Bible--all of those would be very interesting, especially Kimg Saul. Thank you!
I'm slowly reading through a huge tome about Lincoln's complex medical history and Sylvia Plath is on my radar. Hadn't thought about Saul, so thank you.
@@professorgraemeyorston that’s priceless! I know we are considered kinda uncouth compared to the well mannered British so maybe our dogs and cats are too! All I can say is my cat could beat up his cat!!😂😹
Toxoplasmosis paracites are found everywhere and do not usually affect people unless their immune system is severely compromised as with chemotherapy or AIDS..... there are hundreds of millions of cats in the world, yet this disease is rare..... soooo....are cats realy to blame?
The parasites are increasingly discovered to be behind risky and dangerous behaviour. They won't be found unless tested for, so are probably massively underdiagnosed.
I was expecting somewhere in the video a discussion of Wain's famous "schizo-kitties" series of drawings he did while he was in the asylum. Are they a manifestation of his increasingly severe schizophrenia or merely his "explorations" of other themes with his artwork at the time (e.g. designs from textiles found in his childhood home)? I recall first seeing this series of drawings in a section on schizophrenia in a text book in my Abnormal Psychology class back in college. I still am of the firm belief that those drawings do reflect his worsening mental condition at the time. It was well established that Wain did NOT want to be in the asylums, and had appealed to famous U.K. politiicians and celebs to try to get him released from those hellish facilities. My argument here is quite simple: If one wanted to convince their treating physicians that they were NOT mentally ill, or, if so, were improving in condition and should be released from confining treatment, would they suddenly deviate from drawing "normal" paintings of cats to the "acid trip" versions he took on? No, of course not. They would continue to draw cats as viewed by the "normal" public and as they had been known for drawing in their earlier professional life.
There is a discussion about this famous "series" of cats - none are dated and the assumption that they reflect his deteriorating mental state has no basis in fact. He did continue painting in hospital and there are signs of his art becoming psychedelic. I'm afraid the "schizo-kitten" story is a myth.
I respectfully disagree, as do many others who have reviewed the evidence and presented their beliefs on RUclips. Poppycock as to the idea that Wain was just "experimenting" with his style of art while in the asylum(s), IMHO. Keep in mind that the other siblings in his family were also a bit "unhinged" mentally, with one of his sisters actually being sent to the asylum as well. And none of the FIVE of his sisters ever wed? VERY unusual at the time (and in the U.K.). There is plenty of evidence pointing toward mental illness in his immediate family, and being of a genetically-based type. @@professorgraemeyorston
Interestingly, I had my DNA data analysed and it shows a slight pre-disposition to Schizophrenia, ASD and BP. My Grandmother died from 'organic' dementia (what it said on the death cert!) but my mother from MS (I have high predisposition to that, also Lupus, RA and CAD.) Point being the clusters of genes which if triggered (viral, biological etc) can manifest as any one of those conditions. Could same be said of the mental health cluster, and will they then be attributed to an autoimmune disorder? Just a thought.
Also, I believe the abundance of lead in oil paint is a great part of what caused van Gogh to have mental problems. He was a very messy painter! And, also, turp(entine) is highly toxic and kills brain cells - why I don't use it when oil painting anymore - it goes straight to the bloodstream, even via osmosis through the skin simply from breathing the fumes! Also, why the "odorless" turp is still not safe; just because you can't smell the odor doesn't mean it can't do harm.
Since it is a biography - many of the facts about his life will obviously be on Wikipedia - but there is a lot of information that is not on Wikipedia including the possible diagnosis of organic psychosis, but you would have actually have had to watch it to know that.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain’ tells the extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. Claire Foy plays his beloved wife Emily. The feline star of the show is of course the cat named Felix. The use of costume, light, colour, and stunning visuals communicates Wain’s view of the world. Why must good story telling include foul language and sexual scenes! Film makers should take a hint from "The Chosen". We can use film to educate and share history without nudity and cuss words. The DVD is not in region 1 for USA or Mexico.
I don't agree about Aspergers being the same as HFA. If the one article I read was correct. People with Aspergers have better attention to detail, and are mathematicians, people with HFA are not mathematicians
Huge question! I think the answer will turn out to be yes, but our understanding of it is much less at the moment compared to Alzheimer's, but all sorts of subtle abnormalities can be found in the brains of people with schizophrenia.
How are you doing dr Graeme happy new year iam new subscriber Arabic lady citizen since Christmas 2019 I began to subscribe to the British and American RUclips channels we are as foreigners subscribers as overseas students want to increase our cultural level improve our English language as well so that if you please iam very glad to be subscriber in your cultural documentary channel you are very famous as consultant psychiatrist with wide range clinical experience in mental health we have Arabic proverb said madness is art English proverb said sanity is madness put to good uses every one of us have in his life since his childhood till he became adult painful memories problems effected his psychological health some overcame others became abnormal I gathered main information about famous celebrity you mentioned briefly here it’s Louis William wain born in year 1860 died in year 1939 he is artist known for his drawing which consisting featured antropomrphized large eyed cats and kittens later in life he was confined to mental institution and was alleged to have suffered from schizophrenia according to some psychologists
My sister is a paranoid schizophrenic and without her medication she resembles a vampire or zombie and begins to see "artificial people" and things like that. She's spending her days with puzzles and trying to find a psychiatrist who agrees with her that she's sane and the secret nefarious organization that's blackmailing and observing her is real. She's always had a narcissistic streak but now she has absolutely no empathy or regard for other people's needs left. It's such a nightmare, it's like a lot of who she was is just gone. My parents both have cousins diagnosed with schizophrenia, maybe not a great idea to have kids under those circumstances. I had no idea schizophrenia is this bad before it happened, it's hell and people should know and not romanticize it.
Maybe she'd agree to be tested for toxoplasma gondii, because then she could treat it with an ancestral foods ketogenic diet, which both destroys toxoplasma, due to its high arachidonic acid, and helps people with schizophrenia. Toxoplasma only gets worse, as it replicates, so it would be well worth getting tested for t. gondii antibodies.
I found his art disturbing years before I learned about his mental health problems. There is something a bit off about them which doesnt appear in his earlier work. I had the good luck to see an exhibition of his work at Nunnington Hall. My mum and I found it a bit upsetting and ended up having an argument in the giftshop! I got a real sense of brilliant talent wasted.
What a minute did I hear this correctly? Are you suggesting that because Mr. Wain's father converted to Catholicism, that somehow that indicates that he might have had mental issues?! I hope I'm wrong in that assumption. Because if so, as a Catholic, I find that deeply offensive. ✝
Of course not, I was simply pointing out that a change in religious beliefs can be associated with psychosis and that his conversion may have been linked to an undiagnosed mental illness, but it may not, and he may have been persuaded by the Tractarianism debate that led to many Anglicans converting to Catholicism.
Louis Wain must have been a wonderful person at heart. After having nearly died after falling off a bus that was swerving to avoid a cat, his first question, after waking from his coma, was whether the cat survived.
Did it?
🫤🤔 source?
I fell off a bus and hurt my head last October but the CAT scan said I was ok
Awwww. Bless that man’s heart.❤🐱
I agree, he was a gentle soul.
Wonderful video. I'm happy to see him discussed as a complex person and not simply as a spectical of "look at how this guy's paintings got weirder as he grew more insane". About a decade ago I had to study an artist of my choice for a high school drawing class. At 16 I loved drawing fractal type pictures and I was also mentally ill and autistic. I found Lois and fell in love with his art. My teacher would have rather me studied somebody she thought was worthwhile. But I stood firm as I felt some sort of connection to his art and life experience. Now a days one of the main ways I make money though my art is my drawing portraits of people's pets in a variety of shapes rather than realism. I have no doubt that Louis's art has influenced the art I create. I think it was very worthwhile to study his work.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your own art.
That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you, do you have a page where you share your art? Take care!
He was not mad at all. He was a good person who suffered a lot ,destiny usually isn't very friendly for good humans.
Sadly, no.
Mad is a heavily laden term - I agree he was a good person - that is not incompatible with having a mental illness.
This is such an interesting episode, especially for someone with a huge interest in Louis Wain, like me. I knew some of the history of his own condition but hadn't realised that there was more than just him in the family with mental health conditions, but that shouldn't have been such a surprise knowing how that's really quite common. I'm glad he was still able to produce saleable works of art until towards the end of his life but I still can't help feeling sorry for him. To me, he seems like the type of bloke you'd like to give a big hug to, if he'd let you and reassurances that everything was going to be OK. It's lovely that he had a member of staff that he got on well with that made him rock cakes.
Thanks Jean, I know what you mean, but I think that he would probably have hated being hugged!
Well, considering 100 years of research proved mental illness is NOT hereditary but a social condition, and a great many people pretended to be mentally ill so not having to care for themselves I find this comment hysterical. Let us not forget, it wasn't until Timothy Leary made such a public splash that people actually began attempting to change and treat mental dysfunctions. With great success I would add. Using psychedelics has a 95% success rate with no adverse side effects. It also works after the first dose. But we can't have that now can we. Also, behavioral cognitive therapy has the same success rate across the board, but again, we can't have that either. If we got rid of welfare housing and ssi benefits for those pretending to be dysfunctional, I promise you we'd see this nonsense mental illness crap all over again.
That is not to say mental dysfunction doesn't exist. It does, but honestly, preferring to be alone, thinking outloud, not respecting someone enough to look them in eye when speaking, being labeled a mental dysfunction.. really. What's next, if you breathe air, if you sometimes feel tired, if you get hungry more than once a day of you get thirsty more than once a day ask your doctor about this pill. With side effects that have a60% chance of killing you and a 100% chance of killing you if you stop taking it, it's the cure for you. Gtfoh.
Some people simply don't want to put in the work of being a productive human. If he was mentally ill then so to his creations and thus we should shun. Not benefit financially from.
I wonder, if we were still a manufacturing society, if we could sustain an economy without these so-called service based industries of mental health care, drug rehabs, illegal drugs so pharmaceutical companies and the cia/ mi5 alone benefit, would we still be trying so hard to normalize dysfunction? Especially considering the good we pretend to believe in tells us to stone these people to death.
Your videos are so informative. I really appreciate how you seem to understand so many artists. Louis really suffered so much. He was clearly a genius. Amazing output. As a long-time artist myself, all that I now create goes through Christ's approval which has calmed me down immensely. Just because an artist can create most anything, it helps to be discerning.
The Jesus Whom I know is very funny and enables me to simplify what I create. He has saved my brain and my whole body many times. I had a 2nd grade crazy teacher years ago who beat we students about our heads with heavy textbooks. Eventually after I called upon Jesus at 30 years old, I asked Him to repair the damage to my mind. He did - I could feel His electrifying-healing-energy many times as He repaired the
damaged parts. Incredible. Due to all of His 'repairs' on me over many years, I am a walking miracle. Thank you so much for all of your videos.
Your voice is calm and easy to listen to. USA
Thank you, glad to hear you've found peace.
@@professorgraemeyorston You are so welcome. THANK YOU.
Very interesting and being a cat lover I owe him much then, people who have dementia in later life hate taking off their clothes to bathe (although some will repeatedly undress themselves as part of their condition) in fact they hate it possibly because they don't remember what water is and it frightens them, that is a theory now taught in dementia training. Feeling the cold more is a natural progression of old age or hypothyroidism. The colours in many of those paintings though are vibrant and seem to me similar to some of Van Gogh's work, what ever condition he suffered from his circumstances i.e where he lived or where he was confined at any given time of his life didn't stop him produced some wonderful art and his legacy will remain forever.
I think this is the most important message - that despite everything he was still able to paint and make people happy.
As a doctor I am fascinated by your insights . The Cat lithographs I immediately recognised but was unaware of their origin or the artist . It would be very interesting if you managed to 'package' so called Autistic Spectrum personalities in the artistic world and present their cases . Many thanks .
Thank you - so many artists are now being labelled autistic on limited information that I am slightly wary about going too far down the autism road.
More than anything, his mental health decline i believe mostly because of his old age.
Louis wain is someone that need lots of hug and guidance. I really hope that he live today so he can get proper mental treatment. And also his 'scandalous marriage' will not so called scandalous today.
Thanks Cefri, He probably had vascular dementia at the very end of his life, but his psychotic illness started when he was 57! But you're right he would get better treatment today - there really wasn't much treatment available in the first half of the 20th century.
How on earth have I missed this man's art!!! 🙀
Now you know!
Thank you for doing Louis justice, finally a prudent scientific approach in assessing his mental state. Unfortunately Louis is still often seen through quasi-hypothesis of schizophrenia put forward during times when psychology was just developing by Bedlam doctor named Maclay who wanted to obtain prominence at Louis' expense. From what I heard schizophrenia develops quite early, in late 20-ies or early 30-ies, Louis' problem worsened during much later stages of life. The greatest offence caused by Maclay and likes of him is that Louis' wonderful art and experimentation are being called "deterioration of mind" - just because they are abstract and Cubism-like. If they were produced by incapacitated mind they would be meaningless gibberish, not the beautiful intricate highly-structured pieces of art they really are.
Thank you, I agree it is wrong to label/dismiss the work of artists with mental health problems as creations of the mad. Whatever his diagnosis, he was a great artist.
Thank you for caring and explaining this. Wherever possible we need to right the wrongs of the past with new understanding and explanation. So many creative people have been maligned because of their mental problems, which are now being understood as "brain" abnormalities or differences, not character flaws that are deliberate. With greater understanding there are ways to work around the problems.
As ever, Dr. Yorston, you have replaced criticism with understanding and laid bare the path to kindness. And isn't kindness the medicine to many ills.
Your words are much appreciated.
8:50 Who ever would want to see a picture of a cat?
2022: Human mental health is saved by funny cat videos and Tiger King.
Thanks SusAnne - now there is an interesting character!
@@professorgraemeyorston I love history because the characters are so much more interesting than fictional ones ♡♡♡
Oh Professor...just when I was enjoying your extensive knowledge of mental health with a balanced compassionate manner, you then in the last few minutes of your presentation added a connection with Schizophrenia and Cat's faeces. After having two cats in the last few years who are no longer with me I'll just accept that they were very clean and weren't in the habit of flashing their faeces around the Home. Another great piece of work from you...your simple explanations of such complex mental health conditions is so helpful in allowing a better understanding of what so many people in society live with...thank you again.
Thanks Madeleine, the Toxoplasma theory is very contentious with lots of conflicting data and probably has more to do with immunology than cats.
Lol I know schizophrenic people who never had cats or around them 🤦♀️
Absolutely smashed this one 🔥🔥🔥 Just keep getting better and better
Thanks Tash, I've got a good team working with me!
Thank you for a great case study and analysis.
The drawings of the more abstract ‘wall paper’ cats appear to be composed of fractals and not just mere drawings. Additionally later you state seeing fractals are commonly seen/experienced by those with ASD and Scz. When you look at his paintings some of the cats look ‘electrified’. Maybe these non-realistic appearing cats are him painting how he actually saw the world.
If you look up Van Gogh ‘Starry night’ and the physics of turbulent flow you will find it very interesting. Van Gogh’s style differed markedly according to his mental state.
Thanks Brasschick, it is the emotional response to fractal imagery that differs and people see what they like, so yes, maybe he saw fractals in the fur of cats.
Thank you Mr Yorston, I really loved this video, I now have learned a lot more about this brilliant artist. I saw some of his work exhibited in the Bedlam hospital in London, years ago. Very impressive and I was surprised the works were quite large, as I only knew his work from postcards.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I had never heard of this artist until I watched the film, but your approach is very complete, informative and insightful. Thank you very much, this is really a very interesting episode.
Thanks for watching.
'Who would ever want to look at a picture of a cat?' How wrong his critics were! Cats and porn are literally half of internet content each.
So that's why furries exist 🤔
Exactly what I thought.
How the world has changed.
@ so delighted with your replying!
Thank You Professor.
Louis Wain had this preoccupation with electricity and Nietzsche had one with the charged static around lightning. Odd.
Would love to see a documentary from you on him too. Thanks.
Funnily enough I have just added his name to the topics for 2023!
You can add Tesla to that group... great minds think alike?
Thank you for this great video - I’ve loved the work of Louis Wain for years.
Thank you.
What an interesting site - thank you for conveying the information in such a manner that it is understandable to all
Thanks Marina.
What an utterly fascinating video. Thank you,
Glad you enjoyed it.
Last and most important part of my research one set schizophrenia can be seen in history although diagnosed is in dispute he diagnosed with schizophrenia in year 1916 at age 57 he committed to mental institution in year 1924 he kept drawing cats he died in year 1939 at age 79 he was penniless in psychiatric hospital he suffered from paranoid delusions and asperger syndrome he get schizophrenia from tragic events in his life death of his cat peter and one of his sister none of his five sisters get married his youngest sister at age thirty get insane admitted to asylum iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers thank you for great efforts encourage us to read learn new information stay safe blessed good luck to you your family friends
Thanks Khatoon
You give me so much information, thanks!
Thanks Lam, glad you enjoyed it
I just recently found your channel and have subscribed. Your videos are lovely, balanced and do justice to the people you talk about. I was delighted to recognize the artist, Louis Wain in this video after having watched the movie with Benedict Cumberbatch a couple of years ago. I love cats, the Victorian times, period films, and Benedict Cumberbatch is one of my favorite actors to watch and the movie was really well done. I felt a camaraderie with Louis Wain as I was watching the film, and was sad to see how many setbacks he had in his life as he was clearly a gifted man. I am also very creative and love so many things about the arts, the creative process, the natural world, and artists. I have an actual compulsion to make art or do something creative. I am not happy unless I am. It calms me and that's how I see art, not as a money maker or as a way to make a living (although that would be great if that were possible), but as a way to make myself content and bring a feeling of happiness to anyone who can relate to my art. It makes me angry to see art and artists exploited by extremely wealthy people -- they have ruined it just like they ruin everything else.
After my mom passed away in 2021, in my grief I had an existential crisis and was having trouble knowing who I was, why I am here, my purpose in life. It was quite scary as I've never experienced that before. I became enmeshed with my mother as I was her caregiver during the covid years and had trouble finding help for her and support for myself. A few months after my mom's passing, I had a eureka moment after I watched a video with four young women who had the diagnosis of Asperger's, and I could related strongly to every one of them even though they all were very individual and different. I believe I also have ADHD, and had figured that out over 20 years ago after having read several of Dr. Daniel Amen's books. I am now researching and reading about these conditions to understand my own life challenges and how to navigate them.
Thank you, welcome aboard, it sounds as if you have been on a journey through some difficult times.
@@professorgraemeyorston Thank you! Yes, it's been interesting.
Great video, I had no idea that there was so much uncertainty about the reasons for his hospitalisation late in life.
When something gets repeated enough times it gathers authority and people stop thinking about whether there are other explanations. As far as I can tell, this is the first time, anyone has even considered an organic psychosis to account for his problems.
One poor lady recently was diagnosed as psychosomatic for her itching.she had none Hodgkin lymphoma!
Such GORGEOUS videos! I watched each, one after another, with total interest. All are perfection. Please make more -- such as one a day? One a week?
Thank you Catherine, it is nice to get such encouraging feedback. I'm making them as fast as I can. Not sure if I can manage one a day though!
Loved your erudition and psychological insight unto the fascinating character. However, as a former Anglo Catholic ordinand I worry that my disturbed nature may be the cause! Lol - in modern parlance! I find all your video studies both beguiling and highly educational, as well as thought-provoking and utterly enjoyable. Your easy style is somewhat like Prof Kinderman of LPL Uni whose books and internet courses to be similar in delivery. Thank you. Rob
Thank you.
Thank you for this!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing this! Very interesting and educational. So glad I decided to look up Louis Wain here via YT. As I have a soft back book: Eccentric Cat's of Louis Wain Art Prints [24 count]. Not knowing, anything...about his personal life, etc. Then finding out about the movie-made, about his life. Which I plan to rent or buy. 😀👍🇺🇸
Glad it was helpful! The movie is great.
Most interesting episode, thank you.
Thanks Karen, glad you enjoyed it. :)
Extremely interesting, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Adagietto!
Really interesting, thank you!
Thanks Jim, glad you enjoyed it! :)
Another fantastic video - he seems such a colourful character! Thanks for this.
Thanks guys, he certainly was colourful! :)
I have a video suggestion. I'd love to learn the psychiatric view on: 'Charles Lindbergh, Hero or Narcissistic Murderer, or Both?' I've read books by his wife and his daughter who seem in awe of him while he also seems to be an enigma to them, partly due to his extensive abscences but also due to his personality. His wife seemed to eventually escape him, his burial alone in Hawaii reads like an (appropriate) act of defiance on her part.
Thanks SusAnne, I'll look into it.
Or Nazi?
I loved this!! ❤❤
Thanks Wayne.
Mirror writing is so cool!!
Quite a few artists had the ability.
I love what you do. I'm myself mentally ill. I'm also a genealogist. I come from a long line of sociopaths, but I got lucky and have BPD. I'd enjoy sharing my family's tree
Glad you're enjoying the videos.
I watched the movie such a brilliance in the art of cats 🐈⬛ l actually was so moved by his life story l spent a fair time actually crying … l am so pleased he had such a great love in his life with his wife … and his cat Peter.
I wish more movies were made about people of great brilliance to make us aware of the times they lived in and the struggles they had to endure. I am so pleased to have learned about Louis Wain and tomorrow l am going to see if l can find a print of one of his cat paintings to keep ♥️ l think he would have liked that very much… 😊
He seemed a gentle man, I think he would.
Thank you for such a sweet comment. ❤ I loved the movie too! I had never heard of Louis and was so grateful that such a nice movie was made of him. I didn't know I myself am on the spectrum, but I am now self-diagnosed and it makes me happy to be in good company with people like Louis Wain and many other special people. You've inspired me to also find a print of Louis' to add to my collection. 🐱🌼
My college freshman Psychology text book had half a page devoted to his cat paintings, as firm "evidence" of the deterioration of a schizophrenic mind. It made a big impression on me. Now we find this was perhaps not the case.
That sequence appeared in so many books - but is absolute nonsense.
very interesting thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
It seems the brilliantly creative people never deal with money and end up being paupers. I’ve forgotten how to say this in Latin but the quote is “ The thing speaks for itself! “
Thanks Aidah, is it res ipsa loquitur?
@@professorgraemeyorston Thank you. Also thank you for the wonderful historical characters and your interpretation of the possibilities of their mental illness.
I am curious about your background and your studies.
Fascinating and rather sad. To me he sounds like a psychotic. I looked after a close family member who was psychotic but had also had a tentative diagnosis of schizophrenia. He had been an alcoholic/ drug-addict for a large part of his turbulent life and had many accidents and injuries from assaults. He had numerous practical talents and an excellent memory until he got older. When he was young he had been marked by OCD behaviour in his extreme tidiness and constant rearrangement of objects. I was able to wean this family member of anti-psychotic drugs as I could see they made his condition much worse. I did this with agreement from his psychiatrist. It was hard work. I need to watch this again. I think the "acid-trip" cats must be tongue-in-cheek and the comment about psychotics having religious conversions is rather provocative but your calm delivery is very attractive.
Thank you.
Thank you for an interesting presentation. I would be interested to know the definition of a schizotypal personality disorder and how this differs from ASD and schizophrenia. Is schizophrenia always characterised by paranoia?
Interesting questions that psychiatrists have been trying to answer for 150 years! I plan to do a video on schizophrenia soon.
The story about Asperger and the removal of his name from the nosology sounds intriguing. Lets hear it. Plus the speculation about schizophrenia and evolution.
Asperger worked for Hitler and had no problem putting down low functioning autistics
I mention the story in my video on T4 - Nazi extermination.
His Mother was into art and textile imagery. He was born with a clef pallet! Well, that explains so much. Meow meow.
Thanks Book Mouse
Ill have to watch that movie! Have you ever done a video about Abraham Lincoln or Slyvia Plath? What about King Saul from the Bible--all of those would be very interesting, especially Kimg Saul. Thank you!
I'm slowly reading through a huge tome about Lincoln's complex medical history and Sylvia Plath is on my radar. Hadn't thought about Saul, so thank you.
@@professorgraemeyorston You're welcome! I look forward to your future videos!
I don’t know…his description of America seems spot on to me
He also said some very strange things about American cats being more primitive than English cats, perhaps that was what lost him favour!
@@professorgraemeyorston that’s priceless! I know we are considered kinda uncouth compared to the well mannered British so maybe our dogs and cats are too! All I can say is my cat could beat up his cat!!😂😹
@@crescentmoonchild4031 I'm sure you're right. His one has been dead for 100 years though, so yours might have an advantage! :)
What an idiotic comment.
J'ai regarder aujourd'hui le film très émouvant 😢dommage kon parle pas de cette histoire vrai à la fois triste et mignon.
Oui, c'est une triste histoire.
I just watched the film. I never knew anything about the artist behind the cat drawings.
Great film - I think Benedict plays him very much as someone with autism.
I love the kaleidoscope cats, they are like acid trips, you're right!
Not cute and cuddly.
Interesting man
Fascinating, like so many artists.
So who paid for his hospitalizations? In the U.S. dont pay only 72 hour stay and back on the street. Anyway, love the channel. Very interesting.
He had a little money and he would offer to pay for services with paintings, but when committed to an asylum the state would pay.
@@professorgraemeyorston Thank you. I learned something new.
Could shocks mean they were administering ECT?
No, it was too early, ECT wasn't invented until 1938.
I've seen he's art when I was a kid in the 90s in my mother's stuff I never knew who he was till today
Hope I've filled a gap.
Toxoplasmosis paracites are found everywhere and do not usually affect people unless their immune system is severely compromised as with chemotherapy or AIDS..... there are hundreds of millions of cats in the world, yet this disease is rare..... soooo....are cats realy to blame?
The parasites are increasingly discovered to be behind risky and dangerous behaviour. They won't be found unless tested for, so are probably massively underdiagnosed.
It could be the antibodies fighting off the infection that cross react with brain receptors.
I think over 100years ago the diagnosis of schizophrenia covered multitude of mental illnesses the family history would help in this diagnosis
We don't know what diagnosis he was given at the time - only the diagnosis that was given retrospectively in the 1960s.
How does one disable the incessant advertisements when viewing these videos on Android?
RUclips sets the adverts, you can pay to get an advert free service.
I was expecting somewhere in the video a discussion of Wain's famous "schizo-kitties" series of drawings he did while he was in the asylum. Are they a manifestation of his increasingly severe schizophrenia or merely his "explorations" of other themes with his artwork at the time (e.g. designs from textiles found in his childhood home)? I recall first seeing this series of drawings in a section on schizophrenia in a text book in my Abnormal Psychology class back in college. I still am of the firm belief that those drawings do reflect his worsening mental condition at the time. It was well established that Wain did NOT want to be in the asylums, and had appealed to famous U.K. politiicians and celebs to try to get him released from those hellish facilities. My argument here is quite simple: If one wanted to convince their treating physicians that they were NOT mentally ill, or, if so, were improving in condition and should be released from confining treatment, would they suddenly deviate from drawing "normal" paintings of cats to the "acid trip" versions he took on? No, of course not. They would continue to draw cats as viewed by the "normal" public and as they had been known for drawing in their earlier professional life.
There is a discussion about this famous "series" of cats - none are dated and the assumption that they reflect his deteriorating mental state has no basis in fact. He did continue painting in hospital and there are signs of his art becoming psychedelic. I'm afraid the "schizo-kitten" story is a myth.
I respectfully disagree, as do many others who have reviewed the evidence and presented their beliefs on RUclips. Poppycock as to the idea that Wain was just "experimenting" with his style of art while in the asylum(s), IMHO. Keep in mind that the other siblings in his family were also a bit "unhinged" mentally, with one of his sisters actually being sent to the asylum as well. And none of the FIVE of his sisters ever wed? VERY unusual at the time (and in the U.K.). There is plenty of evidence pointing toward mental illness in his immediate family, and being of a genetically-based type. @@professorgraemeyorston
Interestingly, I had my DNA data analysed and it shows a slight pre-disposition to Schizophrenia, ASD and BP. My Grandmother died from 'organic' dementia (what it said on the death cert!) but my mother from MS (I have high predisposition to that, also Lupus, RA and CAD.) Point being the clusters of genes which if triggered (viral, biological etc) can manifest as any one of those conditions. Could same be said of the mental health cluster, and will they then be attributed to an autoimmune disorder? Just a thought.
I'm not sure what kind of DNA analysis you had, because there are no specific genes for most mental health disorders.
What about all the lead and deadly chemicals in everything.
Good point - there is lead in lead white paint and mercury in vermilion. Nasty stuff!
Also, I believe the abundance of lead in oil paint is a great part of what caused van Gogh to have mental problems. He was a very messy painter! And, also, turp(entine) is highly toxic and kills brain cells - why I don't use it when oil painting anymore - it goes straight to the bloodstream, even via osmosis through the skin simply from breathing the fumes! Also, why the "odorless" turp is still not safe; just because you can't smell the odor doesn't mean it can't do harm.
17:08 "favorite... in rock cakes"?
Rock cakes - cakes that look like rocks!
Sounds like schitzophrenia for which there was no effective medication until 1958...... he was a gift
Yes it could have been, clinically the psychosis after head injury is indistinguishable from schizophrenia.
Interesting video.
I do find his paintings creepy and odd, without artistic merit.
He was an illustrator - he wasn't trying to push back the boundaries.
I have a type of schizophrenia and I can do things like read despite it.
Of course, schizophrenia is a serious illness, but it is not all-consuming.
From the website Wikipedia
Since it is a biography - many of the facts about his life will obviously be on Wikipedia - but there is a lot of information that is not on Wikipedia including the possible diagnosis of organic psychosis, but you would have actually have had to watch it to know that.
Danny Elfman just got this guy's work tattooed on his ribcage
Interesting.
But here’s the important question:
Was the cat all right?
I wonder that too
And still alive lol
That, I'm afraid, I was unable to find out.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain’ tells the extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. Claire Foy plays his beloved wife Emily. The feline star of the show is of course the cat named Felix. The use of costume, light, colour, and stunning visuals communicates Wain’s view of the world. Why must good story telling include foul language and sexual scenes! Film makers should take a hint from "The Chosen". We can use film to educate and share history without nudity and cuss words. The DVD is not in region 1 for USA or Mexico.
I guess because sex and bad language are part of many people's lives.
the pictures in this analysis were alittle too graphic for me omg the leprosy. one
I have toned them down a little in more recent videos.
One upon a time, armchair diagnoses of people you have never seen in a clinic was considered unethical.
The issue is about offering diagnoses to people who are still alive which I do not do.
I don't agree about Aspergers being the same as HFA. If the one article I read was correct. People with Aspergers have better attention to detail, and are mathematicians, people with HFA are not mathematicians
People have different strengths and weaknesses - which is why autistic spectrum disorder is now the preferred term.
Is schizophrenia a physical brain disease like Alzheimer’s?
Huge question! I think the answer will turn out to be yes, but our understanding of it is much less at the moment compared to Alzheimer's, but all sorts of subtle abnormalities can be found in the brains of people with schizophrenia.
👍
Thanks Penelope
Being poor with money doesn't mean you're bad at math. It just means you have poor executive function.
It can be related to a lot of different neurological issues.
Very interesting. I didn't know about this man and his art, but then again, I don't like cats haha.
Thank you.
How are you doing dr Graeme happy new year iam new subscriber Arabic lady citizen since Christmas 2019 I began to subscribe to the British and American RUclips channels we are as foreigners subscribers as overseas students want to increase our cultural level improve our English language as well so that if you please iam very glad to be subscriber in your cultural documentary channel you are very famous as consultant psychiatrist with wide range clinical experience in mental health we have Arabic proverb said madness is art English proverb said sanity is madness put to good uses every one of us have in his life since his childhood till he became adult painful memories problems effected his psychological health some overcame others became abnormal I gathered main information about famous celebrity you mentioned briefly here it’s Louis William wain born in year 1860 died in year 1939 he is artist known for his drawing which consisting featured antropomrphized large eyed cats and kittens later in life he was confined to mental institution and was alleged to have suffered from schizophrenia according to some psychologists
Thank you Khatoon
My sister is a paranoid schizophrenic and without her medication she resembles a vampire or zombie and begins to see "artificial people" and things like that. She's spending her days with puzzles and trying to find a psychiatrist who agrees with her that she's sane and the secret nefarious organization that's blackmailing and observing her is real. She's always had a narcissistic streak but now she has absolutely no empathy or regard for other people's needs left. It's such a nightmare, it's like a lot of who she was is just gone. My parents both have cousins diagnosed with schizophrenia, maybe not a great idea to have kids under those circumstances. I had no idea schizophrenia is this bad before it happened, it's hell and people should know and not romanticize it.
Thanks for sharing that CW. Schizophrenia is a tough illness for family members and the person who has it.
Maybe she'd agree to be tested for toxoplasma gondii, because then she could treat it with an ancestral foods ketogenic diet, which both destroys toxoplasma, due to its high arachidonic acid, and helps people with schizophrenia. Toxoplasma only gets worse, as it replicates, so it would be well worth getting tested for t. gondii antibodies.
@@joantendler6518 I have been recently looking into something called methylene blue, and that may help as well.
Ah no, no it is not the next stage in human evolution pfft. But Marvel might be interested in you -- Xmen in a bit of a slump.
Thanks Cach 22, I'll wait for the call!
I found his art disturbing years before I learned about his mental health problems. There is something a bit off about them which doesnt appear in his earlier work. I had the good luck to see an exhibition of his work at Nunnington Hall. My mum and I found it a bit upsetting and ended up having an argument in the giftshop! I got a real sense of brilliant talent wasted.
But with so few of his paintings dated, he was painting in all sorts of different styles at the same time.
He just sees the other side of reality. Take psychedelics and you’ll understand better.
He didn't need psychedelics.
@ yes because he’s already in that’s state (schizophrenia) lmao
What a minute did I hear this correctly? Are you suggesting that because Mr. Wain's father converted to Catholicism, that somehow that indicates that he might have had mental issues?! I hope I'm wrong in that assumption. Because if so, as a Catholic, I find that deeply offensive. ✝
Of course not, I was simply pointing out that a change in religious beliefs can be associated with psychosis and that his conversion may have been linked to an undiagnosed mental illness, but it may not, and he may have been persuaded by the Tractarianism debate that led to many Anglicans converting to Catholicism.