Freud Museum

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Freud Museum is a museum dedicated to Sigmund Freud, located in the house where Freud lived with his family during the last year of his life. The museum houses Freud's study, a number of his antiques, and the original psychoanalytic couch on which Freud's patients laid.

History[edit | edit source]

In 1938, Freud left Austria to escape the Nazis. He came to England where he lived until his death in 1939. His house in London has since been turned into the Freud Museum. The museum was opened to the public in 1986.

Collection[edit | edit source]

The museum houses Freud's study, preserved just as it was during his lifetime. It contains Freud's renowned collection of antiquities: Egyptian; Greek; Roman and Oriental. Almost 2,000 items fill cabinets and are arranged on every surface. There are rows of ancient figures on the desk where Freud wrote until the early hours of the morning. The walls are lined with shelves containing Freud's large library.

The museum also contains Freud's original psychoanalytic couch, which had been given to him by one of his patients, Madame Benvenisti, in 1890. The couch is remarkably comfortable and is covered with a richly coloured Iranian rug with chenille cushions piled on top. Other highlights include Freud's personal correspondence and a collection of rare photographs.

The Freud Museum's central focus is the life and work of Sigmund Freud, and its impact and influence in the 20th and 21st centuries. It also provides a programme of education and research activities and maintains an active publishing programme.

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Freud Museum Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD