Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear
Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear is one of Van Gogh’s most iconic self-portraits, capturing him in a green coat, blue hat, and white bandage covering his injured ear. Painted in bold, vivid strokes, Van Gogh’s intense expression seems to look right into the viewer, reflecting both his resilience and vulnerability. The background shows Japanese prints, a tribute to his admiration for Japanese art, adding depth and context to his emotional state. This painting is both deeply personal and hauntingly beautiful.
1889
About the Artwork
This self-portrait was painted in January 1889, shortly after Van Gogh’s infamous ear incident in Arles, where he had cut off part of his own ear in a moment of emotional turmoil. The exact details of the heated argument between Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin that led to Van Gogh cutting off part of his ear remain shrouded in some mystery, as neither artist wrote explicitly about what caused the intense confrontation. However, historical accounts and correspondence provide some context.
Click on the image to enlarge
Did You Know
It was after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh cut off a part of his left ear. He reportedly presented it to a woman at a local brothel, wrapped in cloth. The identity of the woman is thought to be either a maid named Gabrielle or a sex worker, depending on different accounts. Her reaction was one of shock and horror—understandably so given the extreme and unsettling nature of the act. This event is one of the most well-known and mysterious incidents in Van Gogh’s troubled life, reflecting the depth of his mental anguish and the difficult period he was experiencing in Arles.
Van Gogh suffered from severe mental health challenges, including episodes of psychosis. The exact nature of his illness remains debated, with theories ranging from bipolar disorder to temporal lobe epilepsy.
Did you know that Van Gogh painted this self-portrait to show his resilience? After the ear incident, he wanted to prove to himself and others that he could still create incredible art despite his mental health struggles.
