“An overwhelming, hallucinatory beauty”, “so beautiful it hurts”: there are several expressions like these or similar in common language. In these sayings, the aesthetic aspect of something or someone seems to have an almost harmful effect on the viewer. Sure, these are hyperbolic phrases, but there is a phenomenon that is not far from what they describe: Stendhal syndrome.
Let’s see what it is about.
What is Stendhal syndrome and what are the symptoms?
Stendhal syndrome is not a true disease, but a psychosomatic condition that occurs when one is in front of works of art or architecture or generally particularly fascinating places.
When it occurs, one feels overwhelmed by the beauty and experiences a condition of extreme and unsustainable contemplative ecstasy.
The symptoms vary in type and intensity from person to person and include one or more unexpected and transient physical, psychological, and emotional manifestations such as dizziness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, sweating, and nausea. But also anxiety, euphoria, or on the contrary, depression, mental confusion and disorientation, a sense of panic, and sometimes visual or auditory hallucinations.
These are temporary episodes that resolve on their own shortly after the person moves away from the artwork. Which artwork? Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict, as there is no single category or recurring model that can trigger this malaise, which largely depends on the visitor’s sensitivity.
But what does Stendhal have to do with it?
Who discovered it and why is it called that?
The term Stendhal syndrome was coined in 1977 by the Italian psychiatrist Graziella Magherini, who observed similar symptoms in numerous tourists visiting Florence (for this reason it is also known as Florence syndrome). In the collected testimonies, the contact with the city, its ancient streets, its museums – primarily the Uffizi – and its artistic treasure has disturbing effects on people and causes a sudden detachment from reality and from themselves.
Reactions similar to those described by the French writer Stendhal (pseudonym of Marie-Henri Beyle) in Rome, Naples, Florence of 1817, Promenades dans Rome of 1829, and in Mèmoires d’un touriste of 1838. Arriving at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Stendhal recounts his experience: “[…] the Sibyls of Volterrano perhaps gave me the most intense pleasure that painting has ever given me. I was already in a sort of ecstasy, due to the idea of being in Florence, and the closeness of the great men whose tombs I had seen. Absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty, I saw it up close, so to speak, I touched it. I had reached that point of emotion where the celestial sensations given by the fine arts and passionate feelings meet. Leaving Santa Croce, I had a heartbeat, of those that Berlin calls nerves: life in me was exhausted, I walked with the fear of falling”.
A state of confusion and disturbance, not unlike those that Magherini finds in her patients. According to the scholar, in fact, “Stendhal is the first modern writer to apply to the representation of the tourist event as an emotional experience characterized by an emotionality that is no longer adjustable to the parameters of classical-rhetorical admiration”. Unlike the travelers of previous centuries – medieval pilgrims, humanists, and 16th and 17th century intellectuals – Stendhal abandons the lens of religion and culture as a filter for reading and interpreting the journey. Despite the expectations and preparation that precede the experience, in fact, the writer leaves ample room for the unexpected and the emotions aroused by what he sees: an attitude that still defines the modern tourist today.
How long does Stendhal syndrome last and how is it treated?
Stendhal syndrome, as anticipated, is a transient disorder, the effects of which can last a few hours or at most a few days. However, it can recur more than once in a person’s life.
The treatment is often simple and aims to reduce the acute symptoms. Some solutions include for example:
- moving away from the artwork that triggered the reaction: moving to a less stimulating place allows the body and mind to calm down;
- rest, taking time to relax and regain strength and self-control;
- hydration and nutrition: drinking water and eating something light can help stabilize the body.
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A powerful reaction to art and beauty
Many studies have been conducted over the years to investigate the possible neurobiological mechanisms causing the syndrome. However, to date, there is no scientific evidence to define it as a true psychiatric disorder, and many remain skeptical about its nature (the most critical attribute the phenomenon to fatigue and jet lag). This does not take away from the fact that Stendhal syndrome is a sensitive testimony to the profound impact that art can have on the human psyche. Although it can be a disorienting and sometimes frightening experience, it underscores the emotional power of great works of art. Knowing this syndrome and knowing how to manage its symptoms can help to live more serenely and consciously of the artistic wonders of the world, starting with those in Florence.
