The intriguing story of Van Gogh’s severed ear has been the subject of global fascination for well over a hundred years. The most popular narrative suggests that in a fit of frenzied madness, following a fiery altercation with his companion, Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh took a blade to his own ear. Yet, the precise circumstances surrounding this dramatic act are veiled in mystery, and myriad theories seek to explain what truly transpired that fateful night.
One such theory proposes that Van Gogh, afflicted with a severe, untreated mental disorder, spiraled into a psychotic episode, compelling him to this drastic act of self-harm. Another conjecture speculates that Van Gogh, in a desperate attempt to excise a rumored ear tumor, committed the act, though this theory finds its skeptics among scholars.
What remains undisputed, however, is Van Gogh’s persona—intense and volatile, fuelled by deep-seated passions. It is plausible that in a spontaneous, heated moment, he acted without fully contemplating the repercussions. Regardless of the motive, this incident has etched itself into art history, standing as one of the most enduring and captivating anecdotes.
