Vincent van Gogh lost his ear.
On the night of December 23, 1888, Vincent van Gogh, a renowned Post-Impressionist painter, suffered a mental breakdown and mutilated his own left ear. The exact circumstances surrounding this event remain somewhat unclear, but it is widely believed that the incident was triggered by a heated argument with his fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, who was living with him in Arles, France, at the time.
The following points summarize the event:
- The Incident: Van Gogh severed part of his left ear.
- Date: December 23, 1888.
- Location: Arles, France.
- Possible Cause: Mental breakdown potentially triggered by a dispute with Paul Gauguin.
- Aftermath: Van Gogh wrapped the severed portion of his ear and reportedly delivered it to a local brothel. He was later hospitalized.
This tragic event is a well-documented, albeit disturbing, part of Van Gogh's life and artistic journey.