Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente, Psychology and art museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente is an art museum in Rio de Janeiro dedicated to displaying works created by patients of psychiatric facilities. The collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artistic pieces that reveal the creative strength and emotional depth of these makers.
The museum was founded in 1952 by psychiatrist Nise da Silveira, who developed an innovative approach to supporting people through artistic activities. Her work shifted how psychiatric treatment was viewed and demonstrated that creativity could be central to healing and personal growth.
The institution displays artworks created by people receiving psychiatric care, showing how their personal perspectives and inner worlds take visible form. Walking through the galleries reveals how creative expression became a meaningful way for these individuals to communicate and process their lived experiences.
The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday during daytime hours that work well for a leisurely visit. Guided tours are available with advance notice, which helps deepen your understanding of the artworks and their contexts.
The collection spans hundreds of thousands of works created over decades by people within psychiatric facilities. This vast body of material reveals extraordinary creative persistence and makes this one of the world's largest archives of its kind.
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