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April 24, 2025 8 mins

 Ever wondered why Van Gogh sliced off his ear? Prepare to uncover bizarre theories, humorous insights, and poignant reflections on mental health, and the mystery of what happened to that ear. Join us on a captivating journey that’s equal parts tragic, funny, and profoundly human.

🔥 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE for more unbelievable history!

👉 Watch Now: You’ve been lied to. Check out these examples of some of histories biggest myths - https://youtu.be/JpHTMQV-XPQ
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➡️ You’ve been lied to. Check out these examples of some of histories biggest myths -  https://youtu.be/JpHTMQV-XPQ


➡️ Purchase my book, Firehouse Philosophy, on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Firehouse-Philosophy-Embers-Insight-Exceptional/dp/B0BJ58Q1FS 

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Inquiries: jim@anounce.org 

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• Van Gogh Museum - Ear Incident Explanation
URL: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/vincent-van-gogh-faq/why-did-vincent-van-gogh-cut-off-his-ear
(Provides a reliable overview and accepted historical narrative of Van Gogh's ear incident.)
• Van Gogh Letters - Letter from Van Gogh & Dr. Félix Rey
URL: https://vangoghletters.org/vg/letters/let728/letter.html
(Original source documenting Van Gogh’s condition post-incident, referencing his mental anguish and hospitalization.)
• Acta Oto-Laryngologica – Ménière's Disease Study
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1843176/
(Research suggesting Van Gogh’s symptoms matched Ménière’s disease, providing a medical explanation for his actions.)
• Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) – Tinnitus & Ménière's Disease Analysis
URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/384960
(Medical analysis speculating Van Gogh's ear mutilation may have been related to severe tinnitus and Ménière’s disease.)
• Guardian - Recipient of Van Gogh's Ear
URL: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jul/20/woman-who-received-van-goghs-ear-named-130-years-after-artist-cut-it-off
(Explains historical research identifying Gabrielle Berlatier, rather than Rachel, as the likely recipient of the ear.)
• Van Gogh Gallery Blog – Theories on Gauguin’s Role
URL: https://blog.vangoghgallery.com/index.php/en/2015/03/04/the-theories-of-vincent-van-goghs-ear/
(Offers insights into the theory suggesting Gauguin might have accidentally sliced off Van Gogh’s ear with a sword.)


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Attributions and Credits:

Music: All music sourced from YouTube Music Library
Images and video from Wikimedia Commons, Picryl, iStock, Getty, and generated with AI as noted in video. 

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