The provided text is an encyclopedic entry on Marie-Henri Beyle, the influential French author famously known by his pseudonym, Stendhal. It chronicles his life from his childhood in Grenoble to his military service under Napoleon, including his survival during the French retreat from Russia. As a pioneer of realism, Stendhal is celebrated for his profound psychological insights in masterpiece novels like The Red and the Black. The source also examines his fascination with Italy, his complex romantic history, and his unique theories on love and crystallization. Furthermore, it lists his diverse literary output and discusses his lasting impact on modern literature and feminist thought. Finally, the text notes the Stendhal syndrome, a psychosomatic condition named after the intense emotional reaction he experienced while viewing art.