The Van Gogh Ear Incident: December 23, 1888

The renowned incident involving Vincent van Gogh and the mutilation of his ear occurred on December 23, 1888, in Arles, France. This dramatic and infamous episode remains one of the most discussed events of Van Gogh’s tumultuous life and has become emblematic of his struggles with mental health.

Context Leading up to the Incident

Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, had moved to Arles in February 1888, seeking tranquility and inspiration from the Provençal landscape. He hoped to develop an artist community and was later joined by fellow artist Paul Gauguin in October of that year.

Van Gogh and Gauguin shared a tempestuous relationship, fraught with artistic disagreements and personal tension. The culmination of their tumultuous interaction is believed to have contributed significantly to Van Gogh’s mental state deteriorating on that fateful night.

The Incident

On the night of December 23, 1888, following an intense argument with Gauguin, Van Gogh experienced a severe psychological crisis. During this episode, he reportedly severed part of his left ear with a razor. Driven by emotional turmoil, Van Gogh then wrapped the piece of severed ear in paper and allegedly presented it to a woman at a local brothel.

Following this incident, Gauguin informed the police and sought help for Van Gogh. Van Gogh was found in a severely distressed state and hospitalized in Arles.

Aftermath

Van Gogh’s self-mutilation marked the beginning of a series of hospitalizations in which he battled severe mental health episodes, including periods of psychosis and depression. His time in care, however, did not stifle his creativity; he continued to paint and produce some of his most celebrated works during these years.

His deteriorating mental health eventually led him to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in May 1889. Van Gogh’s struggle with mental illness lasted until his death by suicide in July 1890.

The incident of Van Gogh cutting off part of his ear has been the subject of extensive analysis and speculation, symbolizing the intersection of artistic genius and psychological distress. It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by Van Gogh throughout his life, both personally and professionally.