Van Gogh's Ear - One of the Most Famous Legends in the Art World

It is probably one of the most famous anecdotes in art history - the story of Vincent van Gogh's ear. However, much surrounding the events of 23 December 1888 remains unclear. What is certain is that van Gogh lost his left ear, or large parts of it, that evening.

The question that still occupies the art world today is: Why did van Gogh cut off his ear? And there are many more questions about that memorable day before Christmas in Provence: Did van Gogh really injure himself, or was he the victim of an act of violence? What role did a prostitute play? Was his fellow painter Paul Gauguin involved? Or were van Gogh's family circumstances the cause of the act?

There are many answers and speculations about the circumstances under which the famous Dutch painter lost his ear. Three of the most popular theories about Van Gogh's ear are presented below.

Vincent van Gogh "Gave" His Ear to a Prostitute

According to the most popular theory, the following is said to have taken place in the French town of Arles on the day before Christmas 1888: Vincent van Gogh was reportedly in very poor condition at the time. He suffered from insomnia and drank a lot of alcohol. Oftentimes absinthe, which is believed to cause hallucinations and psychotic states.

In any case, van Gogh was said to have experienced recurring psychological problems. So, it was likely a combination of several factors that led him to act the way he did that evening: Heavily intoxicated, he went to the local brothel - with a bleeding wound on his head. In his hand, he held - according to the source - his left ear or a piece of it. He wanted to "give" it to his favourite prostitute, Rachel. He is said to have presented it to her - again depending on the respective source - with the words "You will remember me, I tell you" or "Keep this object safe".

The prostitute reportedly fainted as a result. Van Gogh himself was found by the police the next morning. He had lost a lot of blood and was hospitalised. According to him, he had no memory of the events.

Paul Gauguin Was Significantly Involved in the Incident

According to another theory, the painter Paul Gauguin played a significant role in the incident. Vincent van Gogh had met him in Paris in 1887 and invited him to visit him in Arles. Van Gogh had planned to establish an artist colony named "Studio of the South". Paul Gauguin accepted Van Gogh's invitation partly because he hoped to gain financial benefits from the stay.

From October 1888, the two artists lived and worked together, but they did not get along well. They frequently argued, which ultimately escalated on the evening of 23 December. It is said that Van Gogh got furious after an argument. He first threatened Gauguin with a razor but then, in a frenzy, cut off his own ear.

According to the theory of the authors Rita Wildegans and Hans Kaufmann, Gauguin may have been the actual perpetrator. They claim that Gauguin was provoked by van Gogh. He then grabbed a sword and cut off van Gogh's left ear. Afterwards, Gauguin fled Arles for Paris. The legend that van Gogh inflicted the injury on himself was also spread by Gauguin to deflect suspicion from himself.

Family Reasons Were the Trigger for the Self-Injury

In 2016, British journalist Martin Bailey offered a far less dramatic explanation for van Gogh's ear. After analysing the correspondence of the van Gogh family, he also assumed that Vincent injured his own ear. However, he presented a different reason for the act. Rather than an acute psychotic episode, it was Vincent's brother Theo's engagement that triggered the self-mutilation.

On that fateful day, Vincent reportedly received a letter informing him that Theo was planning to marry the art collector Johanna Bonger. This news deeply affected Vincent. Theo meant a lot to him. He had always supported him in difficult times. Last but not least, Theo made Vincent's artistic work possible through his generous financial support. Vincent now feared that he would lose his closest confidant as a result of the engagement. He was also worried that Theo might stop providing financial support. In his already fragile mental state, this news was the catalyst for his desperate act.

Vincent van Gogh - Much More Than the Painter Who Cut Off His Ear

Which of these three versions about Van Gogh's ear is true or whether the events happened completely differently will probably never be definitively resolved. Thus, the events surrounding Christmas 1888 and Van Gogh's ear will continue to give rise to speculation.

What is certain is that the incident in Arles certainly had consequences for van Gogh's artistic biography. After the event, he portrayed himself in at least two self-portraits - with a conspicuous bandage around his head. Furthermore, in May 1889, van Gogh went to the mental hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. He had admitted himself due to concerns about his mental health. Here, he remained under medical observation but had access to canvas and paints, allowing him to continue painting.

During this phase, he created around 150 Impressionist pictures and numerous drawings, including significant works such as

• "The Starry Night"
• "The Blossoming Almond Branch" or
• "The Irises".

This means that 23 December 1888 and its aftermath were also of great significance for art history.

Especially outside the art world, Vincent van Gogh will be remembered, above all, as the painter who cut off his ear. But as fascinating as the mystery surrounding his ear may be, and despite the repeated talk of hallucinations and his supposed "madness", in the end, it is only his great artistic achievement that truly counts.

With his visionary painting style, he is one of the most important pioneers of modern painting. He laid the foundations for many of the art movements that followed, such as Expressionism and Fauvism, with his work.