  While connections between climate and the human mind and culture are widely
acknowledged, they are not thoroughly quantified. Analyzing 100,000 paintings
and data on 2,000 artists from the 13th to 21st centuries, the study reveals
that the lightness of the paintings exhibited an interesting U-shaped pattern
mirroring global temperature trends. There is a significant association between
the two, even after controlling for various factors. Event study analysis using
the artist-level data further reveals that high-temperature shocks resulted in
brighter paintings in later periods for artists who experienced them compared
to the control group. The effect is particularly pronounced in art genres that
rely on artists' imaginations, indicating a notable influence on artists'
minds. These findings underscore the enduring impact of climate on the human
mind and culture throughout history and highlight art as a valuable tool for
understanding people's minds and cultures.
