Did Gauguin Slash Off Vincent van Gogh's Ear?

[davidfcooper]

Did Gauguin Slash Off Vincent van Gogh's Ear?

Interesting speculation. Yes VVG was clingy, but he didn't deserve to lose his ear.

Comments

[jonchiz67.livejournal.com]

Interesting theory. I'm not sure I buy it, but interesting nonetheless.

I've always found it interesting that most people think Van Gogh cut off his whole ear; he did not--he only cut off his earlobe.

Also, the famous self-portrait which illustrates the article shows his right ear bandaged, whereas it was his left ear that was damaged. Why? Too obvious answer: Van Gogh was looking in the mirror and painting his reflection.

[bethr.livejournal.com]

Oddly, the childrens' dinner table conversation last night, completely unprompted, was about Van Gogh's ear.

d: "I think that's so cool."
B: "He was crazy."
d: "Yes, but in a good way."
j: "He mailed it to his girlfriend."
s: "Wasn't it Picasso who did that?"
d: "No, dummy! Don't they teach you art in middle school?"
s: "Are you sure Picasso didn't do it too, because he was jealous of Van Gogh?"
j: "They weren't even painting at the same time! And I'm learning about this because I'm going to be a part-time artist when I grow up. When I'm not being a doctor or an engineer."
d: "I'm going to be a science professor, I think."
s: "Mom, did you ever have boyfriends like that?"
B: "Who mailed me an ear? No, not an ear."

[davidfcooper.livejournal.com]

Poor s being put down by her know it all younger brothers :(