Question

Which painter reputedly cut off his own ear?

Answer 1

The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh is reputed to have cut off his own ear. The incident occurred in December 1888 and is believed to have been due to his mental instability.

Answer 2

The painter who reputedly cut off his own ear was Vincent van Gogh. In 1888, van Gogh had a heated argument with his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, which resulted in him cutting off a part of his left ear with a razor. The incident was followed by a period of mental illness and hospitalization. While the exact motive behind van Gogh's self-inflicted injury remains a subject of speculation, it is widely believed to be related to his increasing emotional and psychological turmoil. Despite his struggles and challenges, van Gogh went on to produce some of the most iconic paintings in modern art history, including "The Starry Night" and "Sunflowers."