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Which artist lost his ear?

Published in Art History 1 min read

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.

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