[The Stendhal syndrome between psychoanalysis and neuroscience]

Abstract

The Stendhal Syndrome was proposed in 1977 by the Florentine psychiatrist Graziella Magherini who observed and described an acute and unexpected psychiatric breakdown among tourists exposed to artworks.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether the Stendhal Syndrome has achieved a solid scientific validity any years after its first description. The relationship between art and psychopathology is evaluated within a modern neurobiological perspective, also taking into account the recent neuroaesthetic theories.

Method: An updated review of the current literature was conducted in order to compare the psychological and neurobiological perspectives.

Results: There are suggestions that specific cerebral areas are activated while observing an artwork.

Conclusions: There is no scientific evidence to define the Stendhal Syndrome as a specific psychiatric disorder; on the other hand there is evidence that the same cerebral areas involved in emotional reactions are activated during the exposure to artworks.