Myth #15: Van Gogh and His Ear

The legendary tale of Vincent Van Gogh lopping off his entire ear has all the makings of a captivating story, but in truth, it isn’t 100% true. It turns out that in the throes of emotional turmoil following a heated argument, Van Gogh did indeed take a drastic step—he severed only a portion of his earlobe, not the entire ear…

Even more astonishing, he presented this grim keepsake as an unconventional gift to a cleaning woman. However, it’s crucial to understand that this act was a manifestation of his inner turmoil rather than a deliberate act of self-harm. This incident offers a poignant glimpse into the intricate landscape of Van Gogh’s mental state.