The Real Story Behind Van Gogh's Ear: New Evidence Revealed
What Happened That Night
The facts, as documented by Dr. Félix Rey who treated Van Gogh, paint a clearer picture than the myths. Van Gogh didn’t cut off his entire ear—medical records and Dr. Rey’s 1930s diagram show he severed his earlobe and part of the ear canal. After wrapping the bloody ear part in paper, Van Gogh walked to a local establishment and handed it to 19-year-old Gabrielle Berlatier, saying “Keep this object carefully.”