The observation of a work of art is usually accompanied by a variety of emotional responses in the viewer. We can be drawn to the canvas or put off by it, and the nature of our reactions is complex and deeply rooted in neuroscientific and psychological mechanisms. Several brain structures and pathways are recruited before emergence of the final response, which is also modulated by previous experiences and memory. This interesting interplay between the work of art and the engagement of the viewer’s psyche is discussed in seven captivating essays by Eric Kandel, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and Nobel Prize winner, in his new book Essays on Art and Science.