why did Vincent vaan gogh cut his ear off?

Answer 1

In fact, in an act of crazyness he did actually cut off the lower part of his left ear and offered it to a prostitue as a gift. On several self-portraits you might notice that on self portraits it's always the right ear of Vincent van Gogh that is bandaged. Why that is, is as clear as your own reflection in the mirror...

Van Gogh often looked for inspiration in a liquor called Absinthe. This is a dangerous narcotic drink that was very popular in France in the late 19th century. Also different sources mention van Gogh would have, at least, some sort of epilepsy.

Answer 2

On the evening of 23 December 1888 Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin had an altercation in which Gauguin later claimed that Van Gogh threatened him with a knife. Although this account had been accepted for years, today it's generally considered to be apocryphal--a fabrication conjured up by Gauguin, perhaps in an attempt to appear more sympathetic. Later that evening Van Gogh returned to the "Yellow House" in Arles where he lived and mutilated himself.
Holding the open razor in his right hand, he had sliced through his left ear; starting high at the back and hacking downwards so that all the lower part of the ear had been chopped off. This had left part of the upper ear still attached as a hideous flap of flesh.

Van Gogh, then wrapped the ear in cloth and made his way to a favourite brothel where he presented this "present" to a prostitute. The police were called in and Van Gogh was subsequently hospitalized. The severed tissue of the ear was placed into a jar of alcohol in case it might be needed as evidence. Some months later it was thrown out.

(source: Van Gogh: His Life and Art by David Sweetman)

Note: A final word on the ear incident. A number of people have written to me asking "If Van Gogh mutilated his left ear, then why do his two self-portraits with bandaged ear paintings show his right ear bandaged?" It's a good question and I generally respond to it with a small riddle: the answer is as clear as your own reflection in the mirror . . . . .

Answer 3

Yes, that is the story. It is even in my art appreciation book. If it had not happened I don't believe they would have put it in there as fact. Van Gogh cut off part of his own ear. My question however has always been "What did she do with it?" I think it would make a great movie, this trail of Van Gogh's ear as it goes from the prostitute to what?, the trash can, then who knows maybe a vagabond digs it out of the trash while looking for something to eat and later gives it to bartender for a pint of beer? Who knows? That is my conjecture. Then guess what? It finally ends up on ebay all dried and shriveled. Visualize that! I would like to see that work of art! The modern day reliquary, treasure trove, EBay!

Answer 4

Why people do things? we will never know for sure, of course he was a little crazy so do we all, and now there are people who are cuestioning if he really did cut his ear off? whos crazier he or them or us? maa is in the past and It did not affect his painting at all. He might have did it for a purpose a very sane purpose. Just see trough his art and youll understand

Answer 5

Van Gogh was mentally unstable, and his friendship with Paul Gauguin was breaking down.

Answer 6

He didn't cut his whole ear off, just the tip, after an argument with Gaugin over a prostitute. He gave the ear tip to the prostitute to prove his love for her.

Answer 7

Because he was angry enough to do so.
His friendship with Paul Gauguin had ended.

From then on he is known to have severe depressions and 2 years later he committed suicide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh#Medical_records

Answer 8

Because he was nuts, duh. Probably schizophrenia brought on by the use of absinthe or maybe even the paint that he mixed. We know that many of the paints of yesteryear are toxic and with prolonged use could cause such an event. It's worth thinking about. Do you mix your own paints?

Answer 9

He cut his ear because, he had a painful life and feel so better when feel autoprovocated pain, he had a misrable life but today his work is so much valorated. excuse my poor english...

Answer 10

He was a tad insane. He sent it to his true love. Great artists are all a little bit off.