Why did Van Gogh Cut His Ear?

Vincent van Gogh 1853–1890 was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter known for his contributions to the world of art. He is renowned for his unique style, characterized by bold colors, expressive brushwork, and emotional intensity.

Vincent was born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands. He had five siblings, Theo, Anna, Willemien, Elisabeth, and Cornelius.

Vincent’s father was Theodorus van Gogh, a Protestant minister. He worked as a pastor and preached in various locations in the Netherlands. Vincent’s mother was Anna Cornelia Carbentus. She primarily took on the role of a homemaker, raising their children and managing the household.

Vincent spoke several languages fluently, Dutch, as he was born in the Netherlands. Additionally, he spoke and wrote in French, which was commonly used in his artistic and personal correspondence. He also had some knowledge of English and German. Vincent ability to communicate in multiple languages allowed him to correspond with a variety of people and access a wider range of artistic and literary resources during his life.

Vincent was an avid reader throughout his life, and he often wrote about the books he read in his letters to his brother, Theo. It’s challenging to determine the exact number of books he read, as he did not keep a comprehensive list. However, it is known that he read a wide range of literature, including novels, poetry, and non-fiction works. Some of the authors and books that Vinecent was known to have read include. Charles Dickens, Emile Zola, Honore de Balzac, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola’s Germinal, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, George Eliot’s Middlemarch, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and The Bible.

Vincent reading had a significant influence on his artistic and intellectual development. He often drew inspiration from literature and integrated literary themes into his artwork. It is clear that literature played a meaningful role in his life and work.

Vincent spent much of his life in France, and he appreciated the local cuisine. He mentioned enjoying simple and rustic foods like bread, potatoes, and soup. He also had a fondness for café culture, and he often dined in local cafes where he would have likely consumed typical French dishes of his time. Vincent was known for taking long walks in the countryside and using these walks as a source of inspiration for his art. These walks were a significant part of his daily routine and played a crucial role in his creative process.

Vincent had an uncle named Vincent van Gogh as well. Vincent’s uncle, Vincent van Gogh 1817–1885, was the husband of his mother’s sister, Cornelia Carbentus. He was an art dealer and played a significant role in Vincent’s life, particularly during his early years. Vincent, the artist, worked at his uncle’s art dealership in The Hague and later in London. This experience exposed him to the art world and played a part in his early career development. However, Vincent’s relationship with his uncle was sometimes strained due to differences in their personalities and ambitions, and Vincent eventually pursued his own path as an artist.

He came from a family of art dealers and initially worked in various professions, including as an art dealer and a preacher. Vincent began painting in his late twenties, and his early works were influenced by Realism and the Dutch Masters. Over time, he developed his distinctive style, which is often associated with Post-Impressionism.

Vincent struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, which had a significant impact on his work and personal life. He spent time in mental asylums and famously cut off part of his own ear.

Vincent had a history of mental health issues and suffered from periods of extreme emotional turmoil due to his parents. On the night in question, he had an argument with his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin, which escalated to a point of great tension. In a fit of despair and rage, Vincent took a razor and cut off a portion of his own left earlobe. The exact reasons for this act remain a subject of debate, but it is often attributed to his STD’S, emotional turmoil, psychological distress, and possibly influenced by his tumultuous relationship with Gauguin.

Afterward, Vincent wrapped the severed ear in a cloth and presented it to a local woman at a nearby brothel. Vincent was diagnosed with gonorrhea but it’s widely believed that he also suffered from syphilis. Since there was no medications for syphilis back then; which he had contracted from sleeping with prostitutes, this caused his insanity rise further.

Vincent frequented both the notorious brothels in Paris and the equivalent establishments in Arles, where he contracted syphilis. In his last stages, the STD’s affected his central nervous system and drove him extremely insane.

He was later found by the police and taken to a hospital. Gauguin left Arles shortly after the incident, and Vincent mental state continued to deteriorate over the following years.

Vincent ear-cutting incident is a poignant example of how mental health issues can impact even the most creative and talented individuals. His struggles with mental health and the incident itself have been widely discussed and explored in various forms of art, literature, and film, contributing to the enduring fascination with his life and work.

Vincent had a close and supportive relationship with his brother Theo, who was an art dealer. Theo financially supported Vincent and encouraged his artistic pursuits.

Vincent work had a profound impact on the development of modern art. His use of color and brushwork techniques influenced later movements like Expressionism and Fauvism. Vincent life was marked by poverty and emotional turmoil. He passed away on July 29, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, at the age of 37, from a gunshot wound, which is widely believed to have been self-inflicted. Despite his relatively short career as an artist, Vincent works are now highly regarded, and he is considered one of the most influential artists in Western art history. His paintings are cherished and displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

The most expensive Vincent Van Gogh work ever sold was the portrait of the physician Paul Gachet, who cared for Vincent in his final years. It was sold to a private collector in Japan named Ryoei Saito for a record-breaking $82.5 million including premium in 1990 at auction.

Saito’s purchase of the painting was met with controversy and speculation, as he later revealed his intention to have the painting cremated with him upon his death. This declaration shocked the art world, as Portrait of Dr. Gachet is considered a masterpiece and an important part of art history.

Ryoei Saito’s plans for the painting sparked outrage and calls for its preservation. Saito later said that he was only joking about his intention to cremate the painting, but the incident raised questions about the fate of valuable artworks and the responsibilities of art collectors. The actual whereabouts of the painting after Saito’s death are not widely known, as it was sold in a private transaction in the years following his ownership, and details about its current location may not be publicly disclosed. There have been speculation an auction house in NY purchased it.

Vincent is estimated to have created around 2,100 artworks during his lifetime, which includes approximately 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 works on paper, such as drawings and watercolors. His prolific output is remarkable, given that his career as an artist spanned only about a decade. Some of his most famous paintings include Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and Irises. These artworks are celebrated for their vivid colors and emotional depth. He only sold one painting during the years he painted. His foundation today does state he did trade his artwork in exchange for other goods, but for cash it was only 1 painting which he sold when he was alive.

Vincent life and work continue to captivate art enthusiasts and scholars alike, and his paintings remain iconic symbols of artistic expression and emotional intensity. Vincent is one of my favorite artist of all time due to his pedigree and love for art. In the near future I will write about Theo’s wife (Vincent brothers wife) and how she helped Vincent become famous after his death.