In 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, after a quarrel with the Frenchman Paul Gauguin cut off part of his left ear. This incident is widely known, although do not understand the motives of the act of the artist. It is believed that he attacked his friend in a fit of madness caused by the abuse of absinthe. But in all of history was one interesting detail that has never been completely clear: how much the artist has damaged his ear?
“The absinthe drinker” by Viktor Oliva, 1901
Researchers van Gogh always felt that the artist took only the part of the ear may be just the lobe. But, exploring van Gogh’s life, the mysterious researcher found a drawing made by the attending physician. If you believe the image, the artist cut off almost all ear.
The figure of the doctor of Vincent van Gogh. Photo: atlasobscura.com.
Bernadette Murphy, author of the new book “van Gogh’s Ear”, found an interesting pattern in the archives of Irving stone, American writer who was novelicious the life story of van Gogh’s novel “Lust for life”. Murphy learned that in 1930 the stone in search of material went to France in Arles, where he met with Dr. painter. He drew the stone outline of the ear of van Gogh before and after the artist in the impulse of strong feelings chinovnichestvo. This figure clearly shows that van Gogh was left only with a small piece of the lobe.
“View of Arles with irises in the foreground” by Vincent van Gogh, 1888
This is the first book Bernadette Murphy. The future writer was born in Ireland but lived for many years in the South of France – loved places of Gauguin and van Gogh. In the same interview Murphy refers to the teaching of art history. The publisher describes it as follows: “an ordinary woman who gave the world an extraordinary secret”.According to Murphy: “I had health problems… I had a lot of free time… I enjoyed unraveling the mysteries. This study has been an incredible adventure… In my little house in Provence, I could not believe I found something new and important about Vincent van Gogh”.
Written in the hospital’s “self-Portrait with cut ear and pipe” by Vincent van Gogh, 1889
Few people know that the two self-portraits van Gogh depicted himself with a bandaged right ear, although cut off his left. Most likely it is involuntary deception artist, draw yourself looking in the mirror.
