Why did Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear?

Answer by  Anonymous

It was a self harming response to an argument (and physical attack) he had with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. The prostitute story is not true and it was only a small part of his ear.

Answer by  chelsnick (10)

He cut it off to give it to a prostitute

Answer by  krbrando (23)

There are some theories as why Mr. Van Gogh cut off his ear, the one that I believe to have some substance is that his mental stability was the primary motivating factor in this self mutilation. He may have been manic depressive or bipolar, but whatever mental illness also provided the genius to paint the way he did.

Answer by  kgrim (510)

Mr. Van Gogh cut off only a portion of his ear and it was due to an emotional and mental disorder-including depression along with an argument with another artist.

Answer by  missy36 (48)

Van Gogh suffered from some mental illness, nobody knows exactly which one. He didn't cut off his whole ear, just his left ear lobe; which he gave to a brothel wench to guard carefully.

Answer by  danni (17)

He actually only cut the lobe of his ear of which he then gave to a woman named Rachel who worked in a brothel after he put into an asylum.

Answer by  Lukeleon (30)

Van Gogh was in a bad mental state in the end of his life. He cut off of his ear during a seizure.

Answer by  Kris22 (90)

Vicent Van Hogh cut off his ear for a prostitute he was having an affair with. She use to tease him that she wanted his ear.

Answer by  Anonymous

it was an accident, he was trying to cut off another organ