This Day in History:
Van Gogh Cuts off His Ear .
December 23, 1888.
Van Gogh mutilated his earlobe
during a fit of dementia,
while staying in Arles, France.
The Dutch painter was sharing
a house at the time with
fellow painter Paul Gauguin.
After working together for
nearly two months, Van Gogh
allegedly lashed out at Gauguin with
a knife, before using it on himself.
He is said to have
given his earlobe to a
prostitute who worked
at a nearby brothel.
Van Gogh is said to have
checked himself into a mental
hospital in Saint-Remy, following
a brief hospitalization in Arles.
During this period, Van Gogh experienced
intense moments of creativity, painting some
of his most known works, such as 'The Starry Night.' .
Though he sold only one
painting during his lifetime,
Van Gogh's work now auctions
for prices in the tens of millions
