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Document Details :

Title: De literatuurgeschiedschrijver als medicus.
Subtitle: De Neerlandistiek rond 1900
Author(s): LAAN, Nico
Journal: Spiegel der Letteren
Volume: 44    Issue: 2   Date: 2002   
Pages: 169-194
DOI: 10.2143/SDL.44.2.366

Abstract :
From the middle of the nineteenth century onwards psychiatrists and neurologists have seen a connection between art and illness. Ideas about this connection would have played an important role in the emergence of the so-called ‘modern biography’. This article investigates the reaction of Dutch language and literature scholars to those ideas. The conclusion is that they were generally indifferent to developments outside their own field of study which could have given a fresh impulse to studies of life and art. However, in the case of Bilderdijk and Multatuli descriptions and ideas have been developed that have retained their vitality and attractiveness to the present day.

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