Directed to those interested in art therapy and art education, Maclagan's (center for psychotherapeutic studies, U. of Sheffield, England) text attempts to define the relation between a painting's aesthetic qualities and the psychological effects these have on the spectator. The book discusses the psychological theories of Freud and Jung, their association of aesthetics with decadence and perversity, the philosophical background of aesthetic experience, the phenomenological perspective based on the thought of Merleau-Ponty, a critique of psychoanalytic theories about art, Anton Ehrenzweig's theories about painting, the connection between aesthetics and beauty, and the techniques used in art therapy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)