Vincent van Gogh

Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe, 1889, private collection

: 1853 – 1890
: Dutch

A brief story

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most influential figures in the history of art for his revolutionary use of color, expressive brushwork, and emotional intensity. His work shifted painting away from realistic representation toward a deeply personal and psychological form of expression, paving the way for modern art movements such as Expressionism. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, van Gogh’s vision transformed how art could communicate human emotion and inner life.

Did you know?

The incident involving Vincent van Gogh’s ear occurred in 1888 while he was living in Arles, after an intense argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. During a severe mental health crisis, van Gogh cut off part of his own ear and later brought it to a woman at a nearby brothel. The event became a symbol of his psychological struggles and has deeply shaped the public image of van Gogh as a tortured genius, though the exact details and motivations remain debated by historians.