Since the artist can create, theoretically at least, irrespective of any beholder, the psychological problems of art can only be approached with profit through the study of artistic activity. Artistic activity falls into the general class of activities undertaken for their inherent satisfaction, i.e. 'for fun'; but it is differentiated from other members of its class by the fact that it is not simply 'doing something for fun', but, more specifically, 'making something for fun'. Anything that is made for fun must accordingly be regarded as a work of art.

Although the work of art is distinguished from the dream by the fact that it is a product of motor activity in the waking state, the two phenomena have sufficient in common to justify us in regarding the 'creative phantasy' embodied in the work of art as analogous to the 'manifest content' of the dream. We must also postulate an unconscious process of