Between the science and the art: hysteria's image through Charcot's eyes

• Grant number: 16/23032-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Anthropology
• Principal Investigator: Heloísa André Pontes
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Verdicchio Rodegher
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the effervescent Paris of the second half of 19th century, the reputed neurologist Jean Martin Charcot was considered the "greatest specialist in nervous diseases" and was successful in many researches in neurology. However, it was through the photographic iconography of hysteria that made him one of the widest exponents of modern medicine. The objective of this project is to analyze the trajectory of Charcot, specially his years studying hysteria, taking in consideration the historical and intellectual context, comprehended by the concept of "modernity", the city of Paris and the Salpêtrière hospital. It is also a goal for this research to comprehend the relation between the neurologist, the clinical experience and the construction of a specific medical knowledge, that share proximity with the artistic pratice through. It happens through the manner Charcot utilizes photography in the making for Salpêtrière's Photographic Iconography. This Iconography is located on "Charcot's Digital Fund" (available online), held by Université Pierre et Marie Curie, and consists in the compilation of photographic images, medical records and the description of the procedure applied to the hysterical women at the hospital. It is because of this Iconography that Charcot is associated both with science and art. (AU)