Artistic talent reflects genetic factors and experience.

Artistic collaboration involves compatible personalities—identical twins show us the way.

A study found that identical twins show greater resemblance in aptitude than fraternal twins.

What separates artists from people who appear to lack artistic talent? What enables some artists to collaborate creatively and productively? Answers to these questions may come from twin studies—they suggest that a blend of genetic effects and compatible personalities is essential. A twin study in the Netherlands looked at twins’ within-pair similarity for music, the arts, writing, language, chess, mathematics, sports, memory, and knowledge—it was found that identical twins show greater resemblance in aptitude than fraternal twins. This pattern of results demonstrates genetic effects. Of course, practice, training, and opportunity are important for the expression and development of talent.

Collaboration Dynamics Among Artistic Twins

I have interviewed a number of identical twins and a pair of fraternal twins who work exceptionally well together. (Few collaborating fraternal twins were found, suggesting that they do not work together as often as do identical twins.) A recurrent theme is that these twins are mostly interested in the joint product, showing little........

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