[Various features of the artistic creativity of schizophrenic patients in a handicapped state].

On the basis of a psychopathological analysis of art work of schizophrenics (over 300 pictures painted by 35 patients) two main tendencies were elucidated. The first one was a tendency, marked to one or another degree, towards geometrization of the forms followed by their deformation and decomposition into the constituent elements. This tendency was mostly seen in the patients with appreciable abnormalities in the thinking sphere (diffuse and inconsistent judgements). The second tendency was manifested by striving for compositions resembling with pictures of children and cheap popular prints. In the group of the patients with this tendency there prevailed subjects with a noticeable shift in the emotional-volitional sphere towards apathy and abulia. It is inferred that the data obtained are specific enough and may be used as additional-diagnostic criteria for delimitation of the defect conditions.