Vincent van Gogh has evolved into far more than a painter. He's taken on the persona of a "tortured artist." His paintings obviously contributed to his renown, but his life elevated him from a well-known painter to a legend.
No one can doubt the aesthetic talent of Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, whose works are among the world's most well-known and immediately recognizable paintings. Nonetheless, the artist's legacy is intrinsically linked to his mental health issues—after all, this is the man who hacked off his left ear and gave it to a female acquaintance.
No one can doubt the aesthetic talent of Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, whose works are among the world's most well-known and immediately recognizable paintings. Nonetheless, the artist's legacy is intrinsically linked to his mental health issues—after all, this is the man who hacked off his left ear and gave it to a female acquaintance.
The Famous Theory
Vincent Van Gogh's ear was amputated for a variety of reasons. Amid a mental collapse on a chilly Sunday evening two days too Early in 1888, the Dutch post-impressionist, famous for paintings like the Starry Night and Irises, used a razor to hack off his left earlobe. He didn't leave it at that.
Van Gogh covered his ear in a handkerchief and headed to a brothel, bleeding heavily. Before returning home and collapsing in bed, he handed the appendage to one of the whores, who passed out. The prostitute phoned the cops the following day, discovering a near-dead Van Gogh covered in blood. He was knocked out and rushed to the nearest hospital, where he wanted to visit his buddy Gauguin when he awoke, but Gauguin refused.
Van Gogh covered his ear in a handkerchief and headed to a brothel, bleeding heavily. Before returning home and collapsing in bed, he handed the appendage to one of the whores, who passed out. The prostitute phoned the cops the following day, discovering a near-dead Van Gogh covered in blood. He was knocked out and rushed to the nearest hospital, where he wanted to visit his buddy Gauguin when he awoke, but Gauguin refused.
What Mental Issues Led To This?
Specialists have been unable to agree on the nature of Van Gogh's physical ailments and mental diseases. He suffered seizures and was born with brain damage, which could have been caused by temporal lobe epilepsy. Years of absinthe usage may have exacerbated the injury, contributing to his epilepsy.
Others claim Van Gogh was bipolar, as demonstrated by bursts of creativity followed by bouts of depression and sorrow. He attempted suicide several times, using tactics such as ingesting lead paint and kerosene. As a result of working with lead paint, he may have developed lead poisoning, which manifests itself in the form of light halos surrounding objects, similar to that seen in Van Gogh's The Starry Night.
Others claim Van Gogh was bipolar, as demonstrated by bursts of creativity followed by bouts of depression and sorrow. He attempted suicide several times, using tactics such as ingesting lead paint and kerosene. As a result of working with lead paint, he may have developed lead poisoning, which manifests itself in the form of light halos surrounding objects, similar to that seen in Van Gogh's The Starry Night.
The Other Theory
Many people believe Vincent van Gogh made up the entire narrative to protect his buddy Gauguin, a skilled fighter who cut it off with a sword during a furious argument. According to historians, the valid account of events has never been revealed since the two men made a "pact of silence" - Gauguin to avoid punishment and van Gogh to keep his hopelessly smitten buddy.
"When Gauguin announced that he was departing for good on the night of December 23, 1888, van Gogh, who was suffering from a metabolic ailment, became enraged. Vincent may have attacked his companion after a heated disagreement near the brothel. To protect himself and to get rid of 'the maniac,' Gauguin took his weapon and made the first move towards van Gogh, cutting off his left ear in the process."
"When Gauguin announced that he was departing for good on the night of December 23, 1888, van Gogh, who was suffering from a metabolic ailment, became enraged. Vincent may have attacked his companion after a heated disagreement near the brothel. To protect himself and to get rid of 'the maniac,' Gauguin took his weapon and made the first move towards van Gogh, cutting off his left ear in the process."
Conclusion
It's tough to know why Van Gogh did what he did as he didn't leave any notes anywhere along the lines of "I cut off my ear because..." Some speculate that it was a request for assistance. He could also have been hearing things. In 1890, at 37 years old, Vincent van Gogh died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Van Gogh painted The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Potato Eaters, as well as a self-portrait with his bandaged ear, to mention a few. Gauguin died at the age of 54 in 1903. We may never understand, but we are thankful for Van Gogh and his works of art.
Van Gogh painted The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Potato Eaters, as well as a self-portrait with his bandaged ear, to mention a few. Gauguin died at the age of 54 in 1903. We may never understand, but we are thankful for Van Gogh and his works of art.
