Psychoanalytic Tapestry: Freud’s Uncharted Bonds with Latin America

The Freud Museum in London recently opened an exhibition delving into the intricate connections between the father of psychoanalysis and Latin America, a region he never personally visited.

This exhibit, on display until July 14, seeks to unveil the profound impact of Sigmund Freud’s ideas in Latin America, which has emerged as a hub for psychoanalysis globally in recent decades. Jamie Ruers, the curator of the exhibition, expresses the desire to uncover the initial interactions between Freud and the region, emphasizing the heightened presence of psychoanalysts in Latin America compared to Europe.

Ruers notes that the Freud Museum, situated in Hampstead, London, served as the refuge for Freud and his family after their escape from the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938. The exhibit showcases a collection of personal letters, photographs, books, sculptures, and antiquities from Latin America that were part of Freud’s collection. Many of these items were sent to Freud by admirers and followers from the region.

The exhibition underlines the intriguing fact that Buenos Aires boasts the highest number of psychoanalysts per capita globally. According to Mariano Ben Plotkin, an Argentine author and advisor for the exhibition, psychoanalysis found easier acceptance in Argentina due to the absence of an established psychiatric and psychological tradition. This openness facilitated the assimilation of external ideas, contributing to a cultural syncretism that allowed for unique combinations not easily accepted in Europe.

Ben Plotkin explains that Latin American society was undergoing modernization during this period, fostering receptivity in urban sectors to ideas originating from Europe. Psychoanalysis, with its amalgamation of modern medical methodology and ancient obsessions like dream analysis, provided a scientific framework to discuss popular cultural elements.

Ruperthuz Honorato, a Chilean collaborator, observes that psychoanalysis became ingrained in Latin American daily life from the 1970s onwards, attributing it to a cultural shift. The exhibition includes excerpts from old Brazilian radio programs and magazines from Mexico and Argentina from the 1950s and 1960s, showcasing how psychoanalysis permeated mass media.

Despite never setting foot in Latin America, Freud maintained ties with the region. The exhibition narrates the story of Dr. Juliano Moreira, a black Brazilian doctor, who disseminated Freud’s ideas throughout Brazil. Freud’s interest in Latin America was evident in his 1884 book on the use of cocaine, where he explored the applications of the coca plant in Bolivia and Peru.

In the 1920s, Freud established a close relationship with Peruvian psychiatrist Honorio Delgado, exchanging letters, books, and gifts. When Freud moved to London, he brought 34 of his 62 Latin American books, many with dedications from their authors. These aspects collectively contribute to a unique narrative that explores the enduring ties between Freud and the rich psychoanalytic landscape of Latin America.