Imagine walking through the Uffizi Gallery, enjoying the works of art of the Florentine masters, and suddenly you feel a panic: your heart beats faster, dizziness appears, your legs weaken and you faint. And no, this is not due to hunger or overwork, but due to strong emotions. Don’t you think this will happen? We tell you what Stendhal syndrome is and whether art can drive you crazy.
What is Stendhal syndrome?
The term itself was first defined by psychiatrist Graziella Magherini, head of the Santa Maria Nuova hospital. From 1979 to 1989, approximately 107 tourists came to his clinic in a strange situation and under similar circumstances. Patients experienced rapid heartbeat, dizziness, spatial disorientation, hallucinations and loss of identity. All of them were subjected to the so-called artistic attack that happened to them at the moment of the highest aesthetic pleasure: some attacked the painting in a sudden fit of tears and hysteria, some experienced a feeling of panic during the ritual, others forgot your name and location.
The doctor named this phenomenon Stendhal Syndrome, in honor of the pseudonym of the French writer Marie-Henri Bayle, who described similar symptoms in her autobiography. In 1817, the author of the novel “The Red and the Black” traveled around Florence and once was so amazed by the beauty of the frescoes in one of the chapels of the Basilica of Santa Croce that he almost fainted. Hence the second name of this condition: “Florentine syndrome.”
Besides Stendhal, other famous figures encountered a similar reaction to their works of art. For example, Fyodor Dostoyevsky almost had an epileptic seizure when he was impressed by the beauty of the painting “Dead Christ in the Tomb”. Sigmund Freud experienced an incredible surge of inspiration during the erection of the Athenian Acropolis, followed by alienation and depersonalization.
An average of 10 to 20 such cases occur annually in Florence. As a rule, the “victims of the disease” are impressionable Europeans who have received a good education in the field of culture. Of all works of art, Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus are the most frequently triggered by attack. At least one heart attack and epileptic seizure were recorded.
By the way, in Yukio Mishima’s novel “The Golden Temple” the main character suffered from Stendhal syndrome. The Japanese author was inspired by a true story of a Buddhist novice who, in 1950, frantically burned the Kinkaku-ji Temple, considered the most beautiful and famous architectural monument in Kyoto.
Is Stendhal syndrome harmful to health?
Dr. Magherini believed that not only works of art, but also the beauty of nature, people and animals could trigger Stendhal syndrome. The risk of experiencing this condition increases in people who have mental disorders, have experienced some kind of trauma, or are extremely emotional. But not every work of art is capable of causing such a reaction. A person, as a rule, already has some kind of obsession with an idea in his head. For example, on the basis of religion, a person experiences ecstasy in holy places, since the soul is already preparing for a shock.
In addition, each work of art has its own history and energy. Some stories may cause panic. However, Florentine syndrome cannot be treated. This is a spontaneous mental reaction. You should also not avoid museums and galleries. It’s all about psychosomatics. Therefore, it is best to work with a psychologist on the specific emotions you experience when looking at the picture.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
