In Van Gogh's Ear

Fellow appraiser Christine Guernsey, ISA AM sent me an amusing and interesting article from the BBC news. Until recently, the accepted theory was that Van Gogh cut off his own ear. Now, according to a new book, In Van Gogh's Ear:Paul Gauguin and the Pact of Silence, a new theory emerges, that close friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin cut off Van Gogh's ear in a fencing match. I checked on Amazon, and the book is not yet listed.

The BBC article states is the product of 10 years of research by German academics Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans.

They looked at witness accounts and letters sent by the two artists, concluding that the row ended with Gauguin - a keen fencer - cutting his friend's ear off.

Van Gogh then apparently wrapped it in cloth and handed it to a prostitute, called Rachel.

Mr Kaufmann said it was not clear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attempt to injure Van Gogh, but afterwards both men agreed to tell the police the self-harm story to protect Gauguin.

He said the traditional version of events is based on contradictory and improbable evidence, and no independent witness statement exists.

To read the full BBC article, click HERE.