Hypnosis demonstration, 19th century

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Hypnosis demonstration, 19th century

Hypnosis demonstration. 19th-century artwork of a hypnotist inducing hypnosis in a woman on a stage in front of a watching audience. Hypnotism in the 19th century was developed by the Scottish surgeon James Braid (1795-1860). Moving away from the earlier occult work by the German physician Franz Mesmer, Braid wrote and published scientific and medical works on hypnotism. This early work by Braid and others, in Manchester, London and Paris, influenced later practitioners, especially in France. Artwork from the first volume (first period of 1888) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree

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Media ID 6321629

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1888 Annual Volume Audience Demonstrate Demonstrating Demonstration France French La Science Illustree Louis Figuier Magazine Popular Science Psychiatric Psychiatry Psychological Psychology Spectator Spectators Theater Theatre Weekly Hypnotising Hypnotism Hypnotist Hypnotize Hypnotizing Mesmer Mesmerism Mono Chrome

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a mesmerizing moment in the history of hypnosis. Dating back to the 19th century, this artwork depicts a hypnotist skillfully inducing hypnosis in a woman on stage, while an intrigued audience watches attentively. The practice of hypnotism during this era was greatly influenced by Scottish surgeon James Braid, who veered away from earlier occult methods pioneered by Franz Mesmer. Braid's scientific approach to hypnotism revolutionized the field, leading him to write and publish numerous works on the subject. His contributions not only shaped the development of hypnotism but also inspired practitioners across Manchester, London, Paris, and beyond. This particular piece is extracted from the first volume (first period of 1888) of La Science Illustree, a popular French science weekly that aimed to educate and entertain its readers. The image showcases an important historical moment where psychology meets theater as people witness firsthand the power of suggestion and altered states of consciousness. As we gaze at this snapshot frozen in time, we are transported back to an era when psychiatry was still evolving and public fascination with human behavior ran high. With its rich historical context and artistic allure, this print serves as a reminder of how far our understanding of psychological phenomena has come since those early days. It stands as a testament to both scientific progress and our enduring curiosity about what lies within the depths of our own minds.

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