- Vincent van Gogh, the brilliant but troubled Dutch impressionist painter, severed his left ear after a “blazing row” with fellow artist Paul Gaugin in Arles, France, on this day in history, Dec. 23, 1888.
- The 35-year-old artist famously presented the bloody ear lobe to a female acquaintance outside a brothel. She passed out from shock.
- The incident underscored a tragic descent into madness punctuated by stunning displays of productivity and genius in van Gogh’s final months on Earth.
Vincent Van Gogh Cut Off His Ear 134 Years Ago Today

Share This Article: