Join us as we discuss how the surrealists copied 19th century medical photography portraying "hysteria," followed by a life drawing session with a model.
In 19th century France, Dr Jean-Martin Charcot worked on treating “hysteria” at La Salpêtrière hospital using various treatments, including hypnosis and ether. He created medical photography books of multiple female patients in various poses "caused" by hysteria. These photos often showed female patients in a nightgown in bed, with labels such as "mockery", "menace" or "ecstasy".
Dr Charcot also held live demonstrations, attended by people including Sigmund Freud and Edgar Degas, which is shown in A Clinical Lesson at the Salpêtrière by André Brouillet. Many surrealist artists, including Salvador Dalí, saw these poses as unbridled emotion rather than illness, and used these as references in some of their art, and then held their own live demonstrations with actors. However, the women's voices are very limited in both of these narratives, which likely led to sexual fantasies about these women, in a way not unlike modern times.
This is a life drawing workshop where we spend 10-15 mins discussing these pictures, their effect on medicine and art, and some of the women behind these pictures and the variety of their responses. The rest of the 2 hours will be primarily short poses inspired by these pictures, with a break halfway through. There will be guidance from facilitators if required, but attendees are encouraged to draw freely based on the theme rather than a strict focus on improving life drawing techniques.
Drawing materials, including pencils and charcoal, will be provided during the session. Please note the model will not be fully nude in keeping with the reference pictures.
Artist Bio: PsychArt is a volunteer-led collective and annual conference exploring the role of the arts in mental health. Our work is rooted in creating spaces for reflection, contemplation, creativity, understanding, and healing; bringing together clinicians, artists, and wider communities through shared experience.
Run by a committee of trainee psychiatrists and therapists who are also artists, musicians, and creative practitioners, PsychArt’s events are open to anyone with an interest in attending.
Contact: If you have any questions regarding this session, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Mulberry Hall at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road — E2 9PL
Access: If you have any access needs of which we should be aware, please get in touch with us on 020 8980 2092 or email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Dates: Tuesday 30th June
Time: 7-9pm
Tickets:
Pay Less (covers some of our costs) – I am a student, unemployed, on benefits or financially stressed - £20
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £22.5
Pay it Forward (covers all of our costs and supports our work at SMH) – I am employed or have enough savings to comfortably meet my basic needs - £25