Invention of Hysteria

Exploring the intersection of psychiatry and photography in the late nineteenth century, this work highlights how photographic practices at the Salpetriere hospital contributed to the conceptualization of hysteria. Georges Didi-Huberman examines the influential role of Jean-Martin Charcot in documenting the lives of women labeled as hysterics through photography, offering visual evidence that shaped medical understanding. The book features images from the iconic album Iconographie photographique de la Salpetriere, revealing the profound impact of these visuals on the field of mental health.