Vincent’s Illness and the Healing Power of Art
How did Vincent van Gogh deal with the uncertainties of his mental condition?
In the fall of 1888 Vincent van Gogh was living and working with the artist Paul Gauguin in the Yellow House in Arles in the south of France.
Just before Christmas 1888 they had a blazing row. During an attack Vincent van Gogh cut off his left ear in utter confusion. He wrapped the ear in a piece of paper and presented it to a prostitute at a local brothel. The next morning police found Vincent at home and took him to hospital.
Recurring attacks
Vincent could later recall nothing about what had happened and he just wanted to forget about it. Unfortunately, he suffered new attacks just a month later. He had to accept he was suffering from a mental condition.
What caused these reccurring attacks? There are many theories, but an all-embracing diagnosis is yet to be found.
In the video researcher Bregje Gerritse explains all about the ear incident
