CAN GAZING AT BOTTICELLI’S VENUS CAUSE A HEART ATTACK ???

An Italian man fainted while gazing at the Venus painting (ca. 1485) at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, and suffered a heart attack two weekends ago and is said to now recover.

Variously known as Stendhal Syndrome, hyperkulturemia or Florence syndrome this disorder appears to be specific to Florence when admiring and focusing on such magnificent paintings like Venus ascending from the ocean.

Have you been to Florence and seen this painting?

Cheers and Happy New Year!!!

Elisabeth