ENThe article is researching the process of emergence of one of the most influential directions of «aesthetics from below» as a result of psychological reaction to speculative classical aesthetics in France, that has transformed into a separate field of aesthetic research — psychology of art. Particular attention is provided to a formative history of theoretical and methodological principles developed by such leading figures of psychology of art in the first half of the 20th century as Henri Delacroix, Robert Francès, Denis Huisman and other prominent representatives of French aesthetic thought. Based on particular works, the author shows that French psychology of art developed as a result of overcoming the influence of psychologism and anti-psychologism.