Scientists investigate Stendhal Syndrome – fainting caused by great art

Scientists investigate Stendhal Syndrome – fainting caused by great art
Italian scientists are to try to establish whether there really is such a phenomenon as 'Stendhal Syndrome' – the giddiness and confusion supposedly caused when one looks at great works of art.

Nick Squires in Rome
Published: 7:27PM BST 28 Jul 2010

The condition is named after the 19th century French author Stendhal, who wrote of feeling utterly overwhelmed by the Renaissance masterpieces he saw during a trip to Florence in 1817.

"As I emerged from the porch of Santa Croce, I was seized with a fierce palpitation of the heart; the wellspring of life was dried up within me, and I walked in constant fear of falling to the ground," Stendhal, whose real name was Marie-Henrie Beyle, recorded in his book Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio.

~snip~
Also known as Florence Syndrome, Stendhal Syndrome has been described as a psychosomatic illness that causes rapid heartbeat, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations in people who are exposed to extraordinary artistic achievement, whether it is paintings or sculptures.

Although psychiatrists have long debated whether it really exists, its effects on some sufferers are serious enough for them to require treatment in hospital and even antidepressants.

Staff at Florence's Santa Maria Nuova hospital are accustomed to dealing with tourists suffering from dizzy spells and disorientation after admiring the statue of David, the masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery and other treasures of the Tuscan city.

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7914746/Scientists-investigate-Stendhal-Syndrome-fainting-caused-by-great-art.html

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_x0AzhByC-qQ/SBvnsJ2uTrI/AAAAAAAAANM/rmIbH-VKn3o/s320/Fat+David.jpg

It's good Michelangelo kept trying after his first David!

Stravinsky's works as ballet in Paris at the turn of the century.

Great movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWRvhLrP3U8

Rite of Spring?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjX3oAwv_Fs

Oh, those French!

They are special enough to be moved by art that they understand alone

as long as they clean up after themselves.

My guess is that it is because of dehydration and fatigue.

BFD.