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When did Van Gogh cut off his ear?
Today 133 years ago, on the evening of 23 December 1888,
Van Gogh suffered an acute mental breakdown. As a result he cut off his left ear and took it to a prostitute in a local brothel. The police found him at home the next morning and had him admitted to hospital. On 24 December Gauguin sent a telegram to Theo, who immediately took the night train to Arles.
“My dear Theo, In order to reassure you completely on my account I’m writing you these few words in the office of Mr Rey, the house physician, whom you saw yourself. I’ll stay here at the hospital for another few days — then I dare plan to return home very calmly. Now I ask just one thing of you, not to worry, for that would cause me one worry too many.”
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Arles, 1889
Oil on canvas
60 × 49 cm
Courtauld Gallery, London
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Van Gogh suffered an acute mental breakdown. As a result he cut off his left ear and took it to a prostitute in a local brothel. The police found him at home the next morning and had him admitted to hospital. On 24 December Gauguin sent a telegram to Theo, who immediately took the night train to Arles.
10 days later, on 2 January 1889,
Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Arles:“My dear Theo, In order to reassure you completely on my account I’m writing you these few words in the office of Mr Rey, the house physician, whom you saw yourself. I’ll stay here at the hospital for another few days — then I dare plan to return home very calmly. Now I ask just one thing of you, not to worry, for that would cause me one worry too many.”
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Arles, 1889
Oil on canvas
60 × 49 cm
Courtauld Gallery, London
You may also like to read:
Van Gogh's 'Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear'
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