Can Art Make You Faint? Let’s Learn About Stendhal Syndrome
Stendhal Syndrome is a condition that literally makes someone feel ill when they become overwhelmed with the beauty of a piece of art. If that isn’t #artistgoals, I don’t know what is.
Stupid joke aside, this is an actual psychosomatic disorder that is very rare, and mostly occurs in European people, especially in museums or other places where art is viewed. This makes sense, what with all the tourists running around overwhelmed and exhausted and soaking in masterpieces they’ve paid large amounts of money to see.
To be fair, most of us who venture a long distance to see art we’ve grown up studying will probably feel a bit choked up. I’m a smidge envious of someone who is so emotionally open that they can completely give themselves over to the experience.
Wikipedia defines Stendhal Syndrome as “a psychosomatic condition involving rapid heartbeat, fainting, confusion, and even hallucinations, allegedly occurring when individuals become exposed to objects, artworks, or phenomena of great beauty.”
Fast facts, organized
Names for it:
Art Attack (terrible pun)
Stendhal Syndrome – named by Graziella Magherini (see below) for the pseudonym of the nineteenth century writer Marie-Henri Beyle, based on an experience Beyle described during an 1817 visit to Florence’s Basilica of Santa Croce.
Florentine Syndrome – After Magherini’s description in the 1980’s of treating over 100 patients with these symptoms in a Florence hospital. (Apparently most were women under 40 traveling alone. source)
Aesthetic Sickness – This should absolutely be a band name.
Key People:
Graziella Magherini – Italian psychiatrist first described the phenomenon in 1989 after treating over 100 people who were admitted to a hospital in Florence.
Marie-Henri Beyle – a 19th writer with the pseudonym Stendhal; during a visit to Florence’s Basilica of Santa Croce described “feeling overwhelmed by all the beauty and rich history surrounding him” according to this 2021 study.
If I were to present the artworks I could honor with getting sick in front of, we would be here all day. So since Florence seems to be a trigger for Stendhal Syndrome, I will now share some of that city’s most famous art attractions. Feel free to seek out or avoid these works of art according to your personal level of thrill-tolerance.

Famous Florence Art
Let’s look at a few of the pieces here, any one of which makes my heart flutter a bit just by viewing on screen.
The Gates of Paradise – Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1425-1452

closeup of Joseph Sold into Slavery panel, Baptistery, front of Baptistery closeup showing doors, doors closeup
The Gates of Paradise are a fabulous reason to swoon. Ghiberti spent 21 years (1401-1422) creating a pair of gilded bronze doors with 10 square panels of scenes from the Old Testament. The doors are on the east side of the Baptistery, facing the Florence Cathedral, and beyond them is a treasure trove of more Renaissance art and architecture. See each of the panels, up close and explained, here.
David

With every artwork I am writing about in this post, I am envisioning what exactly about it could overwhelm someone to the point of sickness. Even though I think we established earlier that the combo of traveling, dehydration, exhaustion, and legendary art is enough to bowl you over, I like to overthink and analyze.
When you encounter the statue of David, you have to crane your neck way back to look up at him, so a few people are bound to go toppling over, right? Or maybe it’s the fact that this is a 17-foot masterpiece carved from marble by Michelangelo himself. That is wild. I’m feeling excited about the prospect of seeing him in real life, AND I already have!
Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Within the Convent of San Marco in Florence you will find the Annunciation fresco. Wikipedia explains its importance, especially at the time of painting: “This painting in particular is supposed to have “achieved heights of singular elegance.” The way it handles space and lighting is revolutionary because it is a transition out of the Gothic period and into the Renaissance. Previous versions had no spatial awareness.”
I remember studying this piece in art history and being especially taken with the pink of Gabriel’s robes and the crazy lighting on the columns and arches. While the moment depicted is lovely and special, the architecture is what really seems to be the star here, and I find it so beautiful!
Judith Beheading Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi

Okay, indulge me with on more piece, as this post has become a mini Renaissance art roundup. This version of the Holofernes beheading is completely Stendhal-worthy. Let’s first marvel at the fact that iit was painted by a woman – well not that it was painted by a woman so much as a woman had the veritable balls to become an artist in the 17th century, AND that she was successful during her career.
Now let’s take in the painting. Where do I begin? There is an absolutely overwhelming amount of emotion here, emphasized by the dramatic lighting, the bunched and frenzied movement, the facial expressions, and oh yeah, ALL THE BLOOD.
All that coupled with this painting being in The Uffizi is enough to knock anyone flat on their back. If you want to listen to a fantastic podcast episode about this painting and Gentileschi herself, head over to Art Curious.
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This article about Stendhal Syndrome encourages you to speak with your doctor if you are worried about experiencing it while traveling, and I would so love to hear what a doctor would recommend.
Here are my recommendations if you are worried about fainting into a heap while viewing a lovely art piece
I couldn’t resist having even more fun with this idea. I know it’s a real, actual disorder, so apologies to anyone taking offense at me cracking myself up about it.
- Steal quick, sideways glances at each piece of art you encounter, which will hopefully lessen the beauty-impact
- Wear a helmet any time you think you might be in the presence of art
- Pin a sign on your back warning people of your potential intense reactions whilst viewing art
- Scoot around museums on your butt so you are closer to the ground and less likely to injure yourself if you black out
- Keep a little pack of smelling salts around your neck in plain view so that strangers might revive you
- Any time you feel an emotional reaction to art coming on, slap yourself and scream, “UGLY BAD ART UGLY ART YUCK BAD BAD BAD”