Who cut off Van Gogh's ear, and how much of it?
On the night of 23 December 1888 in Arles, Vincent van Gogh lost his left ear and a woman at a local brothel was handed it. Who wielded the blade, how much of the ear was cut, who received it and why it happened have all been argued over since.
6 established, 4 disputed, 1 debunked, 3 unresolved. We do not pick an answer; the evidence places each claim. How we decide
55 citations from 17 independent sources - 38 echo the same voices and count once. Graded A1-D1.
Added 29 Sept 2026
What the four states mean
- Establishedsupported, uncontested
- Disputedcredible sources disagree
- Debunkedrefuted by the evidence
- Unresolvedno settled answer
Established 6supported, uncontested
A drawing by Dr Félix Rey, who treated Van Gogh in hospital, shows that Van Gogh cut off most of his ear with a cut-throat razor, leaving a small piece of the lobe.▰▰▰▱▱ likely3 points
Supports- Dr. Rey’s drawing shows that Vincent cut most of the ear off using a cut-throat razor, leaving a small piece of the lobe behind.Bernadette Murphy, 'The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear', guest column, PBS Secrets of the Dead (24 July 2017) authoritative
- Vincent remained until 7 January 1889 in hospital, where he was treated by the resident physician Félix Rey.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- The doctor’s drawing shows a clear incision across the base of the ear; van Gogh had cut the whole thing off, leaving only a sliver of the lobe.UC Berkeley Library, 'What actually happened to Vincent van Gogh's ear? Here are 3 things you should know' analysis
Two documents written in the days after the incident describe Van Gogh injuring himself with a razor: a letter from his brother Theo and a letter to the mayor of Arles forwarding Dr Urpar's certificate.▰▰▰▱▱ likely4 points
Supports- Mr Vincent who, on the 23rd of this month, removed his ear using a razor, is suffering from mental disturbance.Unsigned transcript of the letter to the mayor of Arles forwarding Dr Urpar's certificate, 29 December 1888, as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
- when he injured himself with a razor, was the reason he was taken to hospital.Theo van Gogh, letter to Jo Bonger, 28 December 1888, as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
- Theo gave an account of his visit in a letter he wrote to Jo on 28 DecemberVan Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- Urpar drew up a certificate regarding the artist's condition, which was sent to the mayor of Arles on 29 December 1888.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
Rey's drawings of the wound are in a short signed letter from him to the writer Irving Stone, dated 18 August 1930, which was housed in the archives of UC Berkeley's Bancroft Library.▰▰▰▱▱ likely5 points
Supports- David Faulds, now the Bancroft Library curator of rare books and literary manuscripts, delivered the letter, written and signed by Dr. Rey on Aug. 18, 1930, to the museumBerkeley News, 'Sharp eyes at the Bancroft, and a new focus on Van Gogh's ear' (12 July 2016) analysis
- since the discovery of a short letter from Dr Rey to the writer Irving Stone, which includes two drawingsVan Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- retrieved a signed letter from Van Gogh’s doctor with a sketch of his left ear detailing the self-mutilationBerkeley News, 'Sharp eyes at the Bancroft, and a new focus on Van Gogh's ear' (12 July 2016) analysis
- that’s been housed in the archives of UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library.Berkeley News, 'Sharp eyes at the Bancroft, and a new focus on Van Gogh's ear' (12 July 2016) analysis
- According to Lust for Life, Irving Stone’s fictionalized biography of Vincent van GoghBerkeley News, 'Sharp eyes at the Bancroft, and a new focus on Van Gogh's ear' (12 July 2016) analysis
On the evening of 23 December 1888, during an acute mental breakdown, Van Gogh cut off his left ear and took it to a local brothel.▰▰▰▱▱ likely2 points
Supports- On the evening of 23 December 1888, Van Gogh suffered an acute mental breakdown. As a result he cut off his left ear and took it to a prostitute in a local brothel.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- During an attack Vincent van Gogh cut off his left ear in utter confusion.Van Gogh Museum, 'Why Did Vincent van Gogh Cut off His Ear?' analysis
The Art Newspaper identified the young woman given the ear as Gabrielle Berlatier, tracing her name in the records of the Institut Pasteur, where she had been treated for rabies.▰▰▰▱▱ likely3 points
Supports- The young woman in the brothel who was given Van Gogh’s ear can be revealed for the first time by The Art Newspaper as Gabrielle Berlatier, a farmer’s daughter.The Art Newspaper, 'Name of mystery woman who received Van Gogh's ear revealed for first time' (Martin Bailey, 20 July 2016) analysis
- We tracked down the woman’s name in the records of the Institut Pasteur in Paris, where Gabrielle had been treated for rabies.The Art Newspaper, 'Name of mystery woman who received Van Gogh's ear revealed for first time' (Martin Bailey, 20 July 2016) analysis
- Her real name was Gabrielle.Bernadette Murphy, 'The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear', guest column, PBS Secrets of the Dead (24 July 2017) authoritative
The local newspaper reported that Van Gogh asked at a brothel for a woman named Rachel, handed her his ear and told her to keep the object carefully.▰▰▱▱▱ likely1 source
Supports- Last Sunday, at half past eleven in the evening, one Vincent van Gogh, a painter and native of Holland, presented himself at brothel no 1, asked for one Rachel, and handed her.... his ear, telling her: “Keep this object carefully.”Le Forum Républicain, 'Chronique locale', 30 December 1888, as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
Disputed 4credible sources disagree
Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans argue that Gauguin, a fencer, cut Van Gogh's ear with his blade during a fight, attacking him after Van Gogh threw a wine glass at him.▰▰▰▱▱ roughly even chance2 againstsummary-sourced5 points
Supports- They concluded that Gauguin, an accomplished fencer, attacked van Gogh with a rapier after van Gogh threw a wine glass at him.NPR All Things Considered, 'Who Really Cut Off Van Gogh's Ear?' (Frank Browning, 10 May 2009) summary
- spent ten years sifting through police reports, witness statements, and other material before coming to the conclusion that Gauguin, an expert fencer, sliced off van Gogh’s earlobe with his sword during a fight.ARTnews, 'What They See in Van Gogh's Ear' summary
- Kaufmann and his colleague, Rita Wildegans, dug through original police records, biographical material and van Gogh's letters.NPR All Things Considered, 'Who Really Cut Off Van Gogh's Ear?' (Frank Browning, 10 May 2009) summary
Against- "Well, it's an interesting opinion, but so far I have not found proof for it," Van Tilborgh says. "There's no smoking gun."NPR All Things Considered, 'Who Really Cut Off Van Gogh's Ear?' (Frank Browning, 10 May 2009) summary
- characterizes Kaufmann and Wildegans’s retelling as a “leap into wild conjecture.”ARTnews, 'What They See in Van Gogh's Ear' summary
In Kaufmann and Wildegans's account, the two artists conspired to cover up the crime to keep Gauguin out of jail, and Van Gogh promised not to tell.▰▰▰▱▱ roughly even chance2 againstsummary-sourced4 points
Supports- Kaufmann, a retired headmaster with a Ph.D. in history, and Wildegans, who holds a doctorate in art history and works at a cultural foundation, spent ten years sifting through police reports, witness statements, and other material before coming to the conclusion that Gauguin, an expert fencer, sliced off van Gogh’s earlobe with his sword during a fight. To hush up the matter and keep Gauguin out of jail, the two conspired to cover up the crime.ARTnews, 'What They See in Van Gogh's Ear' summary
- Kaufmann says van Gogh was very fond of his friend, "and he didn't want to lose him. So he promised," Kaufmann says, "He promised not to tell."NPR All Things Considered, 'Who Really Cut Off Van Gogh's Ear?' (Frank Browning, 10 May 2009) summary
Against- says he has “found not even the smallest piece of truth for that thesis.”ARTnews, 'What They See in Van Gogh's Ear' summary
- Van Tilborgh characterizes the new book as speculation unsupported by letters from the painter's brother Theo van Gogh, or any other evidence.NPR All Things Considered, 'Who Really Cut Off Van Gogh's Ear?' (Frank Browning, 10 May 2009) summary
Martin Bailey argues that news of Theo's engagement to Jo Bonger probably reached Vincent in a letter from Theo on 23 December 1888, the day he mutilated his ear, rather than after it.▰▰▰▱▱ roughly even chance1 against6 points
Supports- It has usually been assumed that Vincent did not hear about Theo’s engagement until after he had slashed his ear on 23 December 1888Martin Bailey, 'Was Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear connected to his brother's engagement?', Adventures with Van Gogh, The Art Newspaper (11 April 2025) authoritative
- Vincent van Gogh had conflicting emotions when he heard that his brother Theo had got engaged to Jo Bonger in December 1888.Martin Bailey, 'Was Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear connected to his brother's engagement?', Adventures with Van Gogh, The Art Newspaper (11 April 2025) authoritative
- I believe the news probably reached the artist earlier that very same day.Martin Bailey, 'Was Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear connected to his brother's engagement?', Adventures with Van Gogh, The Art Newspaper (11 April 2025) authoritative
- it is known that on 23 December he had received a letter from Theo in ParisMartin Bailey, 'Was Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear connected to his brother's engagement?', Adventures with Van Gogh, The Art Newspaper (11 April 2025) authoritative
- Although the letter which arrived on 23 December has been lost, it seems highly likely that Theo's relationship with Jo was mentioned.Martin Bailey, 'Was Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear connected to his brother's engagement?', Adventures with Van Gogh, The Art Newspaper (11 April 2025) authoritative
Against- “Based on my knowledge of the facts that are available, I don’t think the marriage of Theo plays an important role in the stress of van Gogh. It may seem likely from an outsider’s point of view, but there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory.CBS News, 'Why did Vincent van Gogh cut off his own ear? Book offers new theory' (2016) summary
The woman who received the ear was a prostitute at the brothel.▰▰▰▱▱ unlikely2 against3 points
Supports- He wrapped the ear in a piece of paper and presented it to a prostitute at a local brothel.Van Gogh Museum, 'Why Did Vincent van Gogh Cut off His Ear?' analysis
Against- According to Murphy’s research, the woman was not a prostitute but a cleaner.UC Berkeley Library, 'What actually happened to Vincent van Gogh's ear? Here are 3 things you should know' analysis
- She was never a prostitute as was once thoughtBernadette Murphy, 'The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear', guest column, PBS Secrets of the Dead (24 July 2017) authoritative
Debunked 1refuted by the evidence
Van Gogh scholars long held that he cut off only the lobe of his ear, not the whole ear.Refuted by
However, since the discovery of a short letter from Dr Rey to the writer Irving Stone, which includes two drawings, we can now conclude that Van Gogh did indeed cut off his entire ear.
refuted2 against4 pointsThe claim rested on- Until recently, historians had concluded that van Gogh only cut off the lobe.UC Berkeley Library, 'What actually happened to Vincent van Gogh's ear? Here are 3 things you should know' analysis
- Jo van Gogh-Bonger, Paul Gachet Jr (the son of Dr Paul-Ferdinand Gachet) and Paul Signac all later stated that it was only the lower part of the ear.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
Refuted by- However, since the discovery of a short letter from Dr Rey to the writer Irving Stone, which includes two drawings, we can now conclude that Van Gogh did indeed cut off his entire ear.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- The doctor’s drawing shows a clear incision across the base of the ear; van Gogh had cut the whole thing off, leaving only a sliver of the lobe.UC Berkeley Library, 'What actually happened to Vincent van Gogh's ear? Here are 3 things you should know' analysis
Unresolved 3no settled answer
Why Van Gogh cut off his ear is not known: his letters say nothing about the immediate cause, and when Dr Rey asked him about his motive he replied that it was a purely personal matter.▰▰▰▱▱ very likely4 points
Supports- When I tried to get him to talk about the motive that drove him to cut off his ear, he replied that it was a purely personal matterDr Félix Rey, letter to Theo van Gogh, 30 December 1888, as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
- Van Gogh says nothing in his letters about its immediate causeVan Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- During that attack he cut off his left ear, but he has no more than a vague memory of all that, and is not aware of it.Dr Théophile Peyron, asylum register note, Saint-Rémy, 8 May 1889, as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
- Why? Nobody knows.CNN, 'The real reason Van Gogh sliced off his ear' (2016) summary
There is no definitive diagnosis of Van Gogh's illness. A 2020 study by four specialists concluded that a likely bipolar mood disorder with borderline personality traits, worsened by alcohol use disorder and malnutrition, led to the crisis in which he cut off his ear. Specialists at a Van Gogh Museum symposium on his illness have not agreed a text of their findings.▰▰▰▱▱ likely7 points
Supports- This likely worsened through an alcohol use disorder combined with malnutrition, which then led, in combination with rising psychosocial tensions, to a crisis in which he cut off his ear.Nolen, van Meekeren, Voskuil and van Tilburg, 'New vision on the mental problems of Vincent van Gogh', International Journal of Bipolar Disorders (2020) authoritative
- They conclude that “he likely developed a (probably bipolar) mood disorder in combination with (traits of) a borderline personality disorder”.Martin Bailey, 'Did alcohol withdrawal really cause Van Gogh's mental crises?', The Art Newspaper (13 November 2020) analysis
- Voskuil, one of the Groningen authors, admits that discussions have “not resulted in enough consensus to express final conclusions”.Martin Bailey, 'Did alcohol withdrawal really cause Van Gogh's mental crises?', The Art Newspaper (13 November 2020) analysis
- Four years ago the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam held an exhibition and a symposium entitled On the Verge of Insanity: Van Gogh and his IllnessMartin Bailey, 'Did alcohol withdrawal really cause Van Gogh's mental crises?', The Art Newspaper (13 November 2020) analysis
- The museum promised a publication with the findings of the specialists who contributed to the symposium, but since then it has proved difficult to reach agreement on a text and nothing has yet appeared.Martin Bailey, 'Did alcohol withdrawal really cause Van Gogh's mental crises?', The Art Newspaper (13 November 2020) analysis
- was written by four eminent specialists: Willem Nolen, Erwin van Meekeren, Piet Voskuil and Willem van Tilburg.Martin Bailey, 'Did alcohol withdrawal really cause Van Gogh's mental crises?', The Art Newspaper (13 November 2020) analysis
- There’s no definitive diagnosis for what caused his many unpredictable bouts of strange behaviorHyperallergic, 'An Exhibit Examines van Gogh's Illness, from a Rusty Revolver to a Doctor's Sketch of His Ear' (2016) summary
Gauguin wrote that Van Gogh rushed at him with an open razor, stopped, and ran back towards the house.▰▰▰▱▱ roughly even chance3 against4 points
Supports- I turned at the very moment when Vincent rushed at me with an open razor in his hand. My look must at that moment have been very powerful, because he stopped, and lowering his head he ran back in the direction of the house.Paul Gauguin, Avant et après (written 1903), as translated in the Van Gogh Letters notes to letter 728 primary
Against- Gauguin wrote these words in 1903, long after the events themselves, and doubt has frequently been cast on his reliability as a witness.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- In Bernard’s summary of what Gauguin had told him directly after returning to Paris, no mention is made of the attack, however.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
- The exact circumstances of the supposed incident between Gauguin and Van Gogh are not known, however.Van Gogh Letters (Van Gogh Museum and Huygens ING scholarly edition), editorial notes to letter 728, 2 January 1889 analysis
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