Self Portrait With Bandaged Ear : Van Gogh

Certainly is much to discuss TS, but not a lot to go on, other than the end result, mental health (is certainly not one size fits all) cheers David

Not quite sure what you mean TS, other than trying to deflect the mental pain, into a physical injury?

I once offered to shoot myself in the hand. It was a woman.

I’ve heard a few rumours including the ones you mentioned Robert, but I’m thinking serious underlying mental health issues, literally tore him to pieces, cheers David

Thank you my main man, Van Gogh done nothing by half, cheers David

So the story goes Valsa, he cut off his own ear, and I’ve no reason to dispute it, Self harm is still pretty prevalent amongst troubled people, even in this day and age, sad but true, cheers David

Heya Alexis I am delighted with the podium win, I think you can see the internal schism tearing him apart in his eyes, in this self portrait, an unbelievable artist, thank you so much for stopping by, cheers David

Right back at you Regina, it was a big welcome surprise, cheers David

Thank you Kim I’m delighted, cheers David

Thank you Chris, I was delighted how well this one turned out, for me rather than Vincent, poor soul literally torn asunder by inner conflict, cheers David

Thanks Eve, I’m guessing the complete opposite, he was trying to silence the demons in his head, and it probably worked for a short spell, desperate times desperate measures, cheers David

Heya Tania, probably says more than meets the eye at first glance, I’m glad you seen through it though, cheers David

Thank you Sam for the return visit and congrats, I’m truly delighted with the trophy, my cabinet was looking pretty bare, cheers David

Thank you Sara, yes Dilly has a monoku contest going on about Van Gogh’s paintings, it would be well worth writing one for the contest, you never know what might spring to mind when observing his works, thank you for stopping by, cheers David

I’ve read quite a few theories on Van Gogh, I must check out the one you mentioned, although the overriding fact that rings true for me, is that he was a desperately troubled genius, with undiagnosed and untreated schizophrenia, cheers David

In those days Sam, mental illness was not properly treated or understood, Cutting his ear off was an act of utter desperation, to try stop the voices in his head, one can only imagine what the demons were telling him to do, thank you so much for stopping by, cheers David

He takes us to the edge of reason Paula, sometimes that’s were real genius is found, painful indeed, cheers David

Heya Lin, it’s a good question did he regret it? Sometimes when at the edge of despair, pain is the only thing people have left to feel, self harming is still pretty common, I’m surprised he didn’t get an infection and die from it, no antibiotics in them days, still he somehow managed to paint this brilliant self portrait by looking in the mirror, the mind boggles, cheers David