Slicing and Dicing [Van Gough]

German art historians posit that Vincent Van Gogh did not slice off his ear, but that Paul Gauguin accidentally sliced it up in a lively discussion about the very nature of art.

The story commonly told about Van Gogh's ear centers around Vincent's love for Rachel. When he gave it to Rachel, he told her to "keep this object carefully."

However, by analyzing the police reports of the event, some art historians now believe that Van Gogh was covering up for Gauguin.

The authors have re-examined contemporary police reports and surviving, second-hand accounts of witness statements, including contradictory declarations by Gauguin. They admit that final proof is lacking, and that the police investigation into a drunken brawl between two artists was half-hearted at best. Nonetheless, they say that all the evidence points to the fact that Gauguin accidentally sliced off his friend's ear.

The two men were arguing in the street, the authors believe, partly about their competing interest in Rachel but also about the correct way to paint. Van Gogh argued for painting from the life; Gauguin from the imagination. The French painter was threatening to leave for good, wrecking Van Gogh's dream of founding a utopian artists' colony in Arles. Gauguin, a keen amateur fencer, walked into the street with his luggage and his sword, the authors believe. Van Gogh pursued him. Gauguin brandished the sword in his friend's face to keep him at bay and accidentally cut off part of his ear. Van Gogh then staggered to Rachel's house and handed her the severed part.

After examining the evidence, [the authors] say that Gauguin contradicted himself several times and claimed to have seen events he could not have seen. Other witnesses suggest that Van Gogh provoked Gauguin and Gauguin attacked Van Gogh.

If true, I'm supremely impressed that Van Gough would take his secret to the grave. You can read Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans' 392-page book (in German).

Source: The Independent