What is gradiva?

Gradiva is a term that was originally coined by the Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud. It refers to a concept in psychoanalysis that explores the act of making unconscious desires conscious. The word "gradiva" means "she who steps forward" in Latin, and it refers to the idea of a woman who unconsciously stimulates a man's desire.

Freud used the term "gradiva" to describe a novel written by the German author Wilhelm Jensen. In the novel, the protagonist falls in love with a woman who appears to be a figment of his imagination. The woman is based on a real-life artifact from ancient Rome, a bas-relief depicting a woman striding forward. The protagonist interprets the statue as a symbol of his unconscious desires and eventually comes to a greater understanding of his own psyche.

In psychoanalysis, the concept of gradiva is used to explore how unconscious desires and emotional conflicts can manifest in the psyche, often taking the form of symbolism or metaphor. Analyzing these symbols can help patients gain insight into their own internal conflicts and work towards a greater understanding of their own psychology.