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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Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

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

R. Ramiro Magalhães, 521, Rio de Janeiro, Engenho de Dentro, State of Rio de Janeiro, 20730-460, BR
+55213111-7467
Visit website

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.

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.

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.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Mirante dos Prazeres

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Lago das Fadas

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Venerável Confraria Nossa Senhora da Lampadosa

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Unmissable attractions to see

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Cultural Center Jerusalem

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Play City

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Experience thrilling rides and family fun at Play City, Rio de Janeiro's beloved amusement park next to Nova América Shopping!

Tijuca National Park

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Samba Museum

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Parque Madureira

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Praça Afonso Viseu - Alto da Boa Vista

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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

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Bazar do Saara

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

Discover Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente: Art Born from the Unconscious

A brief summary to Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

Local tips

Getting There

Public Transport

Taxi/Ride-sharing

Unlock the Best of Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Mirante dos Prazeres

Ladeira Frei Orlando

Lago das Fadas

Track Corcovado, Christ Redeemer

Parish São Judas Tadeu

Heliponto Mirante Dona Marta

Túnel Santa Bárbara

Aprazível

Cazuza Statue

Escada da Bandeira do Brasil

Museu da Chácara do Céu

Venerável Confraria Nossa Senhora da Lampadosa

Royal Portuguese Reading Room

Largo do Cantão

Rio de janeiro

Unmissable attractions to see

Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium

Cultural Center Jerusalem

Play City

Tijuca National Park

Waterfall Of Souls

Samba Museum

Acadêmicos do Salgueiro

Fiocruz - Moorish Castle

Museum Of Life

Capela Mayrink

Cascatinha Taunay

Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França

Parque Madureira

Praça Varnhagem - Tijuca

Praça Afonso Viseu - Alto da Boa Vista

Essential places to dine

Restaurante Os Esquilos

La Parrilla Del Uruguay - Uptown Barra

Prana Vegetariano

Restaurante Cantina do Gaucho

Galeto 183

Visu Restaurante

Plage Café

Laguna

Bonde Boca

Esquina de Santa Cafeteria & Pizzaria

Mr. Lam

Térèze

Adega Santiago

Massa + Ella

Bar do Mineiro

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Loja da Dani Cosméticos e Maquiagens

Luxury Gávea Bed & Breakfast

Cave Mode Store

Criando Moda Rio

Fashion Mall

Lica chic

bazar do vt

Bazar do Saara

Fênix

Lolô Chic

Largo das Letras

La Vereda

Zambê

Coisas de Santa

VillageMall

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Reticências Bar

BHAR! GINTERIA DESCOLADA

Calabouço Rock Bar

Bode Cheiroso