Skip to main content
Log in

Human or Machine: A Subjective Comparison of Piet Mondrian’s “Composition with Lines” (1917) and a Computer-Generated Picture

  • Published:
The Psychological Record Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A digital computer and microfilm plotter were used to produce a semirandom picture similar in composition to Piet Mondrian’s painting “Composition With Lines” (1917). Reproductions of both pictures were then presented to 100 subjects whose tasks were to identify the computer picture and to indicate which picture they preferred. Only 28% of the Ss were able to correctly identify the computer-generated picture, while 59% of the Ss preferred the computer-generated picture. Both percentages were statistically different (0.05 level) from selections based upon chance according to a binomial test.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • BRADLEY, J. 1944. “Greatest Dutch Painter of our Time.” Knickerbocker Weekly, Feb. 14, 3, (51), 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • LEWIS, D. 1957. Mondrian. New York: George Wittenborn, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • MONDRIAN, P. 1945. “Toward the True Vision of Reality.” In Plastic Art and Pure Plastic Art, New York: Wittenborn and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • SEUPHOR, M. 1962. Abstract Painting. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • SEUPHOR, M. 1957. Piet Mondrian. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • WALKER, HELEN M. & LEV, J. 1953. Statistical Inference. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • WEITZ, M. 1956. “The Role of Theory in Aesthetics.” Journal of Aesthetics and Ah Criticism, 15, 27–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Noll, A.M. Human or Machine: A Subjective Comparison of Piet Mondrian’s “Composition with Lines” (1917) and a Computer-Generated Picture. Psychol Rec 16, 1–10 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393635

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393635

Navigation