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August, 2009

Stendhal Syndrome

A condition where one can be overwhelmed by art, causing rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and even hallucinations.
File this one under: Who knew? A few weeks ago a woman attacked the Mona Lisa with a ceramic mug (it did no damage thanks to the two centimeter thick bulletproof glass). Anyway, after being taken into custody the woman was given a psychological screening to see if she was suffering from Stendhal Syndrome. Psychology Today explains:
Named for the French author Henri-Marie Beyle, who died in 1842 and is best known by his pseudonym, Stendhal, the syndrome is also known as hyperkulturemia and as Florence Syndrome. After visiting Florence, Italy -- a city distinctively replete with art -- Stendhal wrote in his 1817 book Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio: "I felt a pulsating in my heart. Life was draining out of me, while I walked fearing a fall."
August 24, 2009
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Noah Brier | Thanks for reading. | Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk.