A new study suggests Van Gogh self-mutilated his auditory organ in response to news of his brother Theo's wedding. Author Martin Bailey claims the Dutch artist cut off his ear on December 23, 1888, the same day he received a letter from Theo about his nuptials. Previous theories say Van Gogh severed his ear because of a fight with his friend Paul Gauguin. Historians believe Van Gogh famously gifted his ear to a local woman.
