Van Gogh’s cut-off ear and the death of the famous painter
When we think of Vincent van Gogh, even if we do not know much about his life, certain images immediately come to mind: his famous Sunflowers, his expressive paintings and, of course, his cut-off ear.
Yes, the ear that the famous painter is said to have cut off during a severe emotional and psychological crisis.
It is one of the most striking events in the life of Vincent van Gogh. Following a violent argument, the artist could have attacked his rival, harmed himself in another way or simply walked away. Instead, Van Gogh injured his own ear.
It was an extraordinary event that attracted considerable attention during his lifetime and continues to fascinate people today. The story of Van Gogh’s cut-off ear remains one of the great mysteries surrounding the artist, and many people interested in Van Gogh still want to understand exactly what happened that night.
But perhaps we do not need to find a simple explanation for everything.
What we do know is that Vincent van Gogh was experiencing intense emotional difficulties at the time. He had a violent argument with his friend and fellow painter Paul Gauguin, and shortly afterwards he seriously injured his own ear.
The precise circumstances surrounding the incident have been debated by historians, but the episode remains one of the most famous moments in the artist’s life.
There were two major tragedies towards the end of Van Gogh’s life. Here is what happened.
Van Gogh’s cut-off Ear: Why did Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear?
On the night of 23 December 1888, Van Gogh seriously injured his ear following a violent argument with his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin.
Gauguin was staying with Van Gogh at the famous Yellow House in Arles, southern France. The two artists had hoped to work together, but their personalities and artistic approaches often clashed, and their relationship became increasingly tense.
Following their argument, Van Gogh injured his own ear. He was subsequently found seriously injured and was taken to hospital.
The exact sequence of events that night remains uncertain, and historians have debated what happened between the two artists.
What is clear is that Van Gogh was already experiencing profound emotional distress at the time. The incident occurred during a particularly difficult period in his life, when his mental health was becoming increasingly fragile.
Rather than simply seeing the episode as an eccentric act, it can be understood as a tragic expression of the suffering the artist was experiencing.
Van Gogh’s self-portrait after the ear incident
One of the most famous paintings associated with this period is Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe, painted in 1889.
The portrait was created shortly after the ear incident and clearly shows the bandage covering Van Gogh’s ear.
The pipe is also particularly noticeable. It has often been seen as a symbol of calm and everyday routine following an extremely turbulent period in the artist’s life.
Through this self-portrait, Van Gogh presents himself as an artist continuing to work despite his physical and emotional suffering.
The second tragedy: The death of Vincent van Gogh
How Did Van Gogh die?
Vincent van Gogh died in 1890 at the age of 37, following a gunshot wound that is generally considered to have been self-inflicted.
After the incident involving his ear, Van Gogh voluntarily entered a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he continued to paint and created some of his most remarkable works.
During his stay at the institution, Van Gogh produced numerous paintings inspired by the surrounding landscapes, gardens and views from the hospital.
Despite his psychological difficulties, he remained extraordinarily productive as an artist.
Van Gogh eventually left the hospital and moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, where he continued to paint.
On 27 July 1890, Van Gogh suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He survived the initial injury and returned to the inn where he was staying.
His brother Theo van Gogh came to be with him. Theo had supported Vincent throughout much of his life, both emotionally and financially, and the two brothers had a particularly close relationship.
Vincent’s condition deteriorated, and he died on 29 July 1890, two days after the shooting.
He was only 37 years old.
The tragic end of an extraordinary artist
Van Gogh’s death brought an early end to an extraordinarily intense artistic career.
During his lifetime, he struggled financially and received very little recognition for the remarkable paintings he was creating. His work would only receive widespread recognition after his death.
Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the most influential painters in the history of Western art.
His expressive brushwork, powerful use of colour and highly personal approach to painting have influenced generations of artists around the world.
The story of his life — including Van Gogh’s cut-off ear, his relationship with Gauguin, his time in psychiatric care and his tragic death — has contributed to the enduring fascination surrounding the artist.
But beyond the myths and speculation surrounding his final years, Van Gogh’s paintings remain his greatest legacy: an extraordinary body of work that continues to move, inspire and fascinate people all over the world.
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