There are many versions of why Vag Gog cut off his ear, however the real reason only he knew. Perhaps the answer is known to his descendants, who still keep Vincent’s personal letters and documents in complete secrecy.
Version No. 1. Van Gogh was a genius whose work was not accepted by everyone. Some adored him, others hated him. And ironically, the man whom Vincent admired so much did not perceive his paintings and spoke extremely negatively about them. It was Paul Gauguin. One day Van Gogh invited Paul to his place in Arles. Being financially dependent on Vincent's family, Gauguin accepted the invitation.
Unfortunately, the real reason for this behavior is unlikely anyone will know, but the illness of van Gogh apparently, epileptic psychosis - there is clearly played a major role.
After some time, being constantly together, they began to conflict more and more. And one evening Van Gogh lost his temper and approached Gauguin with a razor, wanting to kill him, but he noticed him and prevented the assassination attempt. That same night Van Gogh cut off his earlobe. For what? Perhaps out of remorse. Historians consider this version extremely illogical and put forward the following supposed course of events.
Version No. 2. On that ill-fated night, a quarrel actually took place between Van Gogh and Gauguin; it came to a sword fight, and Paul accidentally cut off his opponent’s left earlobe.
Version No. 3. While Van Gogh was shaving, his mind became clouded, and in a fit of mental attack he cut off part of his own ear.
Version No. 4. This assumption claims that the cause of the nervous breakdown was the marriage of his brother, on whom Van Gogh was highly dependent. It is possible that in this way the artist expressed his frustration about this.
Version No. 5. Such consequences could have been caused by the action of psychotropic drugs, including absinthe. Perhaps, being in an altered state of consciousness, the artist wanted to test whether he could feel pain.
Van Gogh syndrome
In 1966, based on this incident, a mental syndrome was named in honor of the talented madman. This syndrome manifests itself when a person either performs surgery on himself or asks others to do it.
Syndrome of van Gogh's most likely in schizophrenia, dysmorphophobia, dismorphomania.
The huge number of versions leads to confusion, but, nevertheless, thanks to the legend, the syndrome has gained the right to exist.
In any case, whichever version you consider fiction and which is true, the severed ear became part of a story inextricably linked with one of the most emotional and unpredictable post-impressionist artists of the 19th century.
In the arsenal of psychiatry there is a term - Van Gogh syndrome. They talk about it when a mentally ill person either demands to have an operation performed on him or tries to perform it on himself with his own hands. The name is associated with the name of the famous Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. This man once cut off his earlobe along with part of his auricle. Why could he do this?
The syndrome, named after the great painter, occurs in different mental disorders– dysmorphophobia (pathological dissatisfaction with one’s appearance), schizophrenia. In the hospital where Van Gogh was admitted after this strange act, he was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Modern psychiatrists studying the artist’s biography prefer to talk about epileptic or manic-depressive psychosis. In the first case, the disease could be hereditary character. People suffering from epilepsy were among the painter's relatives on his mother's side. In the second case, the cause of the disease could be a passion for absinthe combined with hard work.
How did it happen?
According to the generally accepted version, Vincent committed an act of violence against himself on December 23, 1888 after a quarrel with Paul Gauguin.
Van Gogh at that time was thinking about creating the “Workshop of the South” - a brotherhood that would develop a new direction for future generations. At the same time, he pinned great hopes on P. Gauguin. But Gauguin did not share Van Gogh’s ideas, and Vincent could not understand this, and the meetings of the two, initially peaceful, increasingly ended in quarrels. During one of these quarrels, Van Gogh, in a rage, grabbed a razor and attacked his interlocutor; Gauguin miraculously managed to hold him back. Returning home, the artist experienced deep remorse that he decided to punish himself in such a terrible way.
Van Gogh did not cut off his ear
German scientists G. Kaufmann and R. Wildegans believe that the reason for the quarrel between artists was not differences in art, but rivalry over a woman.
The cause of the conflict was a certain lung woman behavior named Rachel. Van Gogh really attacked Gauguin, and he, being a good swordsman, defended himself with a rapier, as a result of which he cut off Vincent’s ear.
Subsequently, when giving evidence to the police, it was Gauguin who said that Van Gogh mutilated himself, while Vincent was unable to say anything intelligible.
Paul Gauguin is not to blame
The English researcher M. Bailey came to the conclusion that Van Gogh did cut off his own ear, but a quarrel with Gauguin was not the reason for this.
Shortly before this event, Theo, Vincent's brother, sent a letter to his mother, in which he announced his intention to marry, and on December 23, Vincent received money from his brother. Most likely, along with the money came news of his brother’s upcoming marriage.
How might Van Gogh take this news? Subsequently, Theo mentioned in a letter to his bride that Vincent did not approve of his decision and stated that “marriage should not become main goal life." This is not surprising: his brother constantly provided Vincent with support - both financial and moral. The upcoming wedding of his brother meant for Van Gogh that he could soon lose his brotherly help.
Perhaps the news of his brother’s future marriage turned out to be an overwhelming test for the artist’s unstable psyche. The result was a fit of madness and an act of self-violence.
Sources:
- A. Perruchot The Life of Van Gogh
The artist also depicted himself in a variety of ways. He was very fond of all kinds of hats and smoked a pipe, so he just painted himself - in a hat and with a pipe. Moreover, I noticed an amazing pattern. If these two objects are present in the picture, then the artist is in a good mood, i.e. The picture is bright.
Here's another option. He is sadder than the picture taken in the title of the post, but not frightening as in many other portraits. True, there are already some troubles with the left ear: 
I must say that he doesn’t look very good without a hat:
One of the self-portraits is dedicated to his friend Paul Gauguin. Their friendship was complicated. They created together, drank (they especially respected absinthe), argued about art... there are rumors that during one of these arguments, Van Gogh cut off his left earlobe in anger. Then he put it in an envelope and gave it to his favorite prostitute named Rochelle. She fainted and reported to the police. The police came to Vincent Van Gogh's home, and he was bleeding in his bed. They considered that there was no evidence of a crime - the artist stated that he mutilated himself. Having recovered a little from the wound, he did not fail to paint a portrait of himself:
According to another version, his ear was cut off by Gauguin, who was also a very hot-tempered character and had a complex character. In addition, Paul Gauguin lived at the expense of Theo Van Gogh, who was Vincent’s brother and was a lover and patron of painting. This probably somehow offended Gauguin, maybe he was jealous or something... We are unlikely to know what really happened, but the life of his artist friends was interesting. A self-portrait for Gauguin, a rather menacing look, it should be noted:
All this creepy story occurred in December 1888. As a result, the artist voluntarily went to a psychiatric hospital, where he worked a lot, was inspired by the view from the window and recovered. The most fruitful period of his work began, which, unfortunately, was very short and ended in suicide. Van Gogh went out into nature to paint landscapes, and suddenly shot himself with a pistol right in the heart. However, he did not die right away, but went home and lived another day. The artist died in the arms of his brother Theo on July 29, 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. No one doubted that it was suicide. Apparently because this was not the first attempt. The artist made numerous attempts on his own life.
Today, everyone has heard the name of the great artist, but most people know him only as the man who cut off his ear, and as the author of paintings worth colossal amounts of money. This article contains the most Interesting Facts from the life of Van Gogh.
Named after brother
Vincent Willem Van Gogh was born in the family of a Protestant pastor, Theodore, and a bookbinder, Anna Cornelia. The parents named the boy the same as their first child, who was born a year earlier and did not live more than a week.
I wanted to become a priest
At first, Vincent seriously wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a clergyman. In the family of the future artist, a love of religion was instilled from a very early age - both his father and grandfather were respected priests. To be ordained, it was necessary to study for 5 years in a seminary, but due to his impulsive nature, such training seemed long and unproductive to Vincent, so he took accelerated courses at an evangelical school. This course was designed for three years of study, including six months of missionary work in a small mining town. Having spent these years of his life in terrible conditions, Vincent seriously doubted the saving properties of religion.
During the sermon, for which he had prepared so long and diligently, none of the miners listened at all, and Vincent understood these people perfectly. After the sermon there was serious conversation with his father, in whom the future artist admitted his doubts and that he no longer saw the point in further education. On this basis, father and son had a strong quarrel and never communicated again.
He wrote all his works in 10 years.
Van Gogh decided to take up painting as an adult, and in just 10 years he became a professional, wrote all his works and turned existing concepts in fine art on their heads.
Was in love with his own cousin
Vincent met Kay Vos-Stricker, his cousin, when she and her son were visiting the artist's parents. At the time of the meeting, the cousin was a widow, but she rejected Van Gogh’s feelings. Despite this, Vincent continued to court the lady, and thereby turned all his relatives against him.
The myth of the cut off ear
In fact, Van Gogh did not cut off his own ear - if this had happened, the artist most likely would have died immediately from a large loss of blood. This story is mysterious and shrouded in mystery. The most plausible version looks like this: Paul Gauguin came to Van Gogh to discuss a common workshop, but the artists did not come to a common point of view, as a result of which a conflict broke out, ending in a fight and Vincent attacking Gauguin with a razor in his hands. Gauguin was not injured, but Van Gogh cut off his earlobe that night. To this day it is not known what it was - whether the artist repented of yesterday’s incident or these were just the consequences of absinthe abuse.
Treatment in a psychiatric hospital
Immediately after the incident with Gauguin, Van Gogh was sent to a psychiatric hospital with a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy. Residents of the city of Arles, where the incident with the razor occurred, asked the city authorities to isolate the artist from society, as a result of which Van Gogh was sent to the San Remy settlement for the mentally ill. But the artist does not stop working, and even in the conditions of such an institution he creates great works such as “Starry Night”.
Mysterious death
The artist passed away under extremely mysterious circumstances at the age of 37. Van Gogh died from loss of blood as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest from a pistol, which the artist used to drive away birds during the open air. To this day it is not known for certain whether it was suicide or an attempt. Last words Van Gogh were: “Sadness will last forever.”
Probably the most widely famous case is the story of Van Gogh's severed ear. Of course, this act in itself is not so unique, but the very fact that he committed it and the mystery shrouding this incident still did their job. Now even the most incurious reader, picking up a book about Van Gogh, will definitely try to find some information about it.
A small house in the province, or attacks of depression
In 1988, Vincent Van Gogh rented a small house in a small southern French town called Arles. There the Dutch painter, who suffered from bouts of depression, experienced periods of madness and here he painted several scenes rural areas France and the famous series
Exhausted by despair and loneliness, Van Gogh hoped for new acquaintances with creative personalities, which would provide him with communication, and perhaps help reduce his financial dependence on his younger brother Theo, who always supported Vincent Van Gogh. The lonely artist repeatedly turned to his friend Gauguin with a request to join him. And finally, he heeded his pleas. This is how the story about Van Gogh's ear begins.
Entertainment of two friends, or what two artists argue about
On October 23, Paul Gauguin knocked on the door of Van Gogh's small home. They began to study numerous paintings in art galleries, brightened up their leisure time in local brothels. Their relationship was quite stormy. The two post-impressionists argued constantly, ranging from the costs of household and ending with the merits of Delacroix or Rembrandt.
Paul Gauguin constantly grumbled about the dirt in the studio. Moreover, he threw away all of Vincent Van Gogh's bedding. And he immediately sent for his own, which were to be delivered directly from Paris. The small house quickly became filled with an atmosphere of tension. Paul became increasingly concerned about the condition of Vincent, who periodically remained thoughtfully silent and at times showed erratic outbursts of madness. Gauguin often wrote about this in his letters to his friend's younger brother.
Another fit of madness, or a cry of despair
Finally, two days before Christmas, which Van Gogh, by the way, never liked, Paul told him that he planned to return to Paris. In the evening he went for a walk when Vincent suddenly overtook him from behind and began to threaten him with a razor. Gauguin reassured his friend, but just in case, he spent the night in a nearby hotel that night. Could Paul then have imagined how this decision would affect further events and in Van Gogh's ear.
Vincent returned to his empty house. Alone again... All his dreams of Paul Gauguin being next to him forever were destroyed. IN another seizure Out of madness, the artist took a razor, pulled back his left earlobe and cut it off. The severed ear artery began to bleed heavily, and Vincent bandaged his head with a damp towel. But the story about Van Gogh's ear doesn't end there. The artist carefully wrapped it in a newspaper and went to a brothel located next door, where he found a friend of hers, handed it over to her and asked her to keep it carefully. Seeing the contents, the poor woman fainted, and Van Gogh staggered home.
Van Gogh's ear. Photo of a self-portrait with a bandaged head
The alarmed woman decided to report the incident to the police, and the next morning the artist was found unconscious in bed, covered in blood. He was admitted to a local hospital. Vincent Van Gogh repeatedly asked a friend to visit him. But Paul Gauguin never came. The hospitalization continued for several weeks, and then Van Gogh returned to his small house.
There he continued to write his works and even documented the last violent episode, which readers know as the story of Van Gogh's ear, in the form of a self-portrait with his head bandaged. Manic episodes continued from time to time, and most of the time next year Vincent Van Gogh spent in psychiatric clinic Saint-Remy. But the treatment did not save the shattered psyche famous artist, and on July 27, 1890, he shot himself.
The most famous moment in life, or What loneliness can lead to
What else can you say about Van Gogh's severed ear? The story, which took place on December 23, 1888, remains the most famous fragment of life famous artist. Much of the narrative of those events was compiled from the words of Paul Gauguin, whom the police initially suspected of committing this act. There is still an opinion among art historians and biographers that in reality the situation looked somewhat different.
Most likely, this story served only as a cover, which was invented by two artists to protect Gauguin, who cut off Van Gogh's ear with his fencing sword during another quarrel. Considering how desperate Vincent was to maintain his friendship with Paul, this version is also believable.
However, the friends never saw each other again. And this story forever remained an unsolved mystery, which interested not only contemporaries, but also many of today’s admirers of creativity talented artist. Moreover, it turns out that there is even a song called “Van Gogh’s Ear.” Kashin Pavel, famous contemporary performer, apparently tried to convey in it the emotions that Vincent Van Gogh experienced at the time of this crazy act.
Probably the most widely known case is the story of Van Gogh's severed ear. Of course, this act in itself is not so unique, but the very fact that the famous artist committed it, and the mystery shrouding this incident, still did their job. Now even the most incurious reader, picking up a book about Van Gogh, will definitely try to find some information about this case.
A small house in the province, or attacks of depression
In 1888, Vincent Van Gogh rented a small house in a small southern French town called Arles. There, the Dutch painter, who suffered from bouts of depression, experienced periods of madness and creative pangs. Here he painted several scenes of the French countryside and the famous series of paintings "Sunflowers".
Tormented by despair and loneliness, Van Gogh hoped for new acquaintances with creative personalities who would provide him with communication, and perhaps help reduce his financial dependence on his younger brother Theo, who always supported Vincent Van Gogh. The lonely artist repeatedly turned to his friend Gauguin with a request to join him. And finally, he heeded his pleas. This is how the story about Van Gogh's ear begins.
Entertainment of two friends, or what two artists argue about
On October 23, Paul Gauguin knocked on the door of Van Gogh's small home. They began to study numerous paintings in art galleries and brightened up their leisure time in local brothels. Their relationship was quite stormy. The two Post-Impressionists argued constantly, ranging from household expenses to the merits of Delacroix or Rembrandt.
Paul Gauguin constantly grumbled about the dirt in the studio. Moreover, he threw away all of Vincent Van Gogh's bedding. And he immediately sent for his own, which were to be delivered directly from Paris. The small house quickly became filled with an atmosphere of tension. Paul became increasingly concerned about the condition of Vincent, who periodically remained thoughtfully silent and at times showed erratic outbursts of madness. Gauguin often wrote about this in his letters to Theo Van Gogh, his friend's younger brother.
Another fit of madness, or a cry of despair
Finally, two days before Christmas, which Van Gogh, by the way, never liked, Paul told him that he planned to return to Paris. In the evening he went for a walk when Vincent suddenly overtook him from behind and began to threaten him with a razor. Gauguin reassured his friend, but just in case, he spent the night in a nearby hotel that night. Could Paul then have imagined how this decision would affect further events and Van Gogh’s ear. Vincent returned to his empty house. Alone again...
All his dreams of Paul Gauguin being with him forever were destroyed. In another fit of madness, the artist took a razor, pulled back his left earlobe and cut it off. The severed ear artery began to bleed heavily, and Vincent bandaged his head with a damp towel. But the story about Van Gogh's ear doesn't end there. The artist carefully wrapped it in newspaper and went to a brothel located next door, where he found an acquaintance of Paul Gauguin. He handed the package to her and asked her to keep it carefully. Seeing the contents, the poor woman fainted, and Van Gogh staggered home.
Van Gogh's ear. Photo of a self-portrait with a bandaged head
The alarmed woman decided to report the incident to the police, and the next morning the artist was found unconscious in bed, covered in blood. He was admitted to a local hospital. Vincent Van Gogh repeatedly asked a friend to visit him. But Paul Gauguin never came. The hospitalization continued for several weeks, and then Van Gogh returned to his small house. There he continued to write his works and even documented the last violent episode, which readers know as the story of Van Gogh's ear, in the form of a self-portrait with his head bandaged. Manic episodes continued from time to time, and Vincent van Gogh spent most of the next year in a psychiatric clinic in Saint-Rémy. But the treatment did not save the famous artist’s shattered psyche, and on July 27, 1890, he shot himself.
The most famous moment in life, or what loneliness can lead to
What else can you say about Van Gogh's severed ear? The story, which took place on December 23, 1888, remains the most famous fragment from the life of the famous artist. Much of the narrative of those events was compiled from the words of Paul Gauguin, whom the police initially suspected of committing this act. There is still an opinion among art historians and biographers that in reality the situation looked somewhat different. Most likely, this story served only as a cover, which was invented by two artists to protect Gauguin, who cut off Van Gogh's ear with his fencing sword during another quarrel. Considering how desperate Vincent was to maintain his friendship with Paul, this version is also believable.
However, the friends never saw each other again. And this story forever remained an unsolved mystery, which interested not only his contemporaries, but also many of today’s admirers of the work of the talented artist. Moreover, it turns out that there is even a song called “Van Gogh’s Ear.” Kashin Pavel, a famous contemporary performer, apparently tried to convey in it the emotions that Vincent Van Gogh experienced at the time of this crazy act.
