As we talk about depression, mental illness, and the histories of treatments for these conditions, I'd like to provide a bit of context using some historical images.
Théodore Géricault (1791 – 1824) was a French painter who completed a comission by the director of the Salpêtrière, a famous hospital in Paris. The Salpêtrière was also where Dr. Charcot worked; Charcot is known as the founder of modern neurology, and gave huge lectures which were attended by, among others, Sigmund Freud. Charcot identified, named, and developed some of the earliest treatments for a variety of neurological conditions and diseases.
Between 1821 and 1824, Géricault completed 10 paintings, purportedly portraits of inmates of the aslyum; a few of them are reproduced here. What do you notice about the images? What stands out to you? Are the titles surprising?
Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault. Portrait of a Kleptomaniac or Portrait of an Insane Person (French : L'Aliéné or Le Kleptomane)
Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault. The Madwoman, or The Obsession of Envy, 1822
Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault. The Woman with Gambling Mania. c. 1822-23.
Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault. Man with Delusions of Military Command.
If you'd like to see more of Gericault's paintings, I recommend the WikiPaintings page for him here.