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Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente: Art Born from the Unconscious

Explore art born from the unconscious at Rio de Janeiro's Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente, a testament to art therapy's transformative power.

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The Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente (Museum of Images of the Unconscious) in Rio de Janeiro houses a remarkable collection of art created by patients of a psychiatric institution, showcasing the power of art therapy and the exploration of the inner world. Founded by psychiatrist Nise da Silveira in 1952, the museum challenges conventional approaches to mental health treatment and celebrates the creative potential within individuals experiencing profound psychic experiences.

A brief summary to Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • The museum is free to enter, allowing you to explore the collection without any cost.
  • Visit on Tuesday through Saturday, as the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
  • Consider joining a guided tour for a deeper understanding of the museum's history and the artists behind the works. Contact the museum in advance to schedule a group visit.
  • Check the museum's website for information on current exhibitions and events.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente via public transport, the train is a convenient option. Take any of the following lines: RAMAL DEODORO, RAMAL JAPERI, RAMAL SANTA CRUZ, or RAMAL BELFORD ROXO to the Engenho de Dentro station. From there, the museum is a short walk away. A single train ticket costs R$4.60. Alternatively, several bus lines also stop near the museum, including 238, 239, 249, 607 and 652. Bus fares are around R$4.70.

  • Taxi/Ride-sharing

    From most points in Rio de Janeiro, a taxi or ride-sharing service (such as Uber) offers a direct route to the Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente. The ride from the South Zone (Copacabana, Ipanema) typically takes 30-45 minutes. Expect to pay around R$40-50, but prices may vary depending on traffic and time of day. There are no unavoidable tolls on this route.

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Discover more about Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

The Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente, located in the Engenho de Dentro neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, is a unique institution dedicated to the collection, study, and exhibition of art produced by individuals undergoing psychiatric treatment. Founded in 1952 by Dr. Nise da Silveira, a pioneering psychiatrist who rejected traditional and aggressive treatments like electroshock and lobotomies, the museum emerged from her work in the Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sector (STOR) of the then-named Centro Psiquiátrico Pedro II. Da Silveira believed in the power of creative expression as a means of communication and healing for patients with mental disorders. She established art workshops where patients could freely express themselves through painting, drawing, and sculpture, without intervention or judgment. The resulting artworks, numbering over 350,000, form the core of the museum's collection, offering a window into the complex inner worlds of their creators. The museum's collection includes works from individuals who had little or no prior artistic training, resulting in raw and unfiltered expressions of their inner experiences. The museum also preserves the history of the movement for a more humanized psychiatry. The museum's approach is rooted in Carl Jung's theories, and Jung himself invited Nise da Silveira to exhibit her patients' work at the International Congress of Psychiatry in Zurich in 1957. Today, the Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente continues to be a vital center for research, education, and artistic expression, promoting dialogue and understanding around mental health.

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