History Of Stendhal

History

The illness is named after the famous 19th century French author Stendhal (pseudonym of Henri-Marie Beyle), who described his experience with the phenomenon during his 1817 visit to Florence, Italy in his book Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio.

Although there are many descriptions of people becoming dizzy and fainting while taking in Florentine art, especially at the Uffizi, dating from the early 19th century on, the syndrome was only named in 1979, when it was described by Italian psychiatrist Graziella Magherini, who observed and described more than 100 similar cases among tourists and visitors in Florence. The syndrome was first diagnosed in 1982.

The study chronicled incidents in which tourists experienced a sensory overload upon seeing the art and architecture in Florence. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the more popular locations where people fall victim to this syndrome. In fact, the gallery has a small room set aside where people may rest if they find themselves overwhelmed and there is also a hospital nearby for further treatment. The syndrome is not a serious illness but may require some rest and time away from the museums to recover.

"The Stendhal syndrome causes museum-goers to make an exhibition of themselves." People Weekly 32.n3 (July 17, 1989): 109(1). Student Resource Center - Junior. Gale. Wylie High School. 21 Nov. 2010
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History Of STENDHAL SYNDROME

History