The Schizophrenic Masters

This episode of Mad Tea explores the deeply complicated 1922 book Artistry of the Mentally Ill by Hans Prinzhorn—a psychiatrist who gathered over 5,000 works of art made by institutionalized psychiatric patients. In this episode, Matt and Megan examine how the book influenced modern art movements like Surrealism and Art Brut, while also reinforcing psychiatric narratives that erased the humanity and agency of its creators. Focusing on the ten artists Prinzhorn called “schizophrenic masters,” the episode gives voice to those who were institutionalized, silenced, and often killed—yet left behind vivid, astonishing works. The hosts question who gets to be called an artist, how madness is aestheticized, and what it means to reclaim these stories today. In this episode we visit the works and lives of: August Natterer, Karl Genzel, August Klett, Clemens von Ortzen, Hermann Behle, Hyacinth Freiherr von Wieser, Peter Moog, Johann Knopf, Joseph Schneller, and Franz Pohl. Written and hosted by Matt Bodett and Megan Sterling Produced by Press Here and a a project of the Center for Mad Culture Music produced and provided by Had Matter