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(1957). Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 12:47-72

The Childhood of the Artist—Libidinal Phase Development and Giftedness

Phyllis Greenacre, M.D.

This presentation may be somewhat premature. The subject is one about which one thinks slowly and hesitantly, perhaps because genius is always somewhat dazzling and mysterious. Whether the term "giftedness," "creativity," or "marked talent" is used, still the idea of genius is close at hand. The differences in definition as well as nuances in their usage reflect somewhat various ideas of the nature of genius. To my way of thinking, creativity is a special capacity which may or may not be associated with great ability; but it is usually only of general significance when it is part of a constellation of special abilities and drives—which make for the creative individual. Creativity does not seem to have a great deal to do with superior intelligence in terms of quotients, even though excellent intelligence may contribute to the productions of the creative person. In this paper I shall use the term the artist as a generic one referring to those possessing unusual creati

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