num_pages: 337
description: In December 1888 Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear. It is the most famous story about any artist in history. But what really happened on that dark winter night?In Van Gogh's Ear Bernadette Murphy reveals the truth. She takes us on an extraordinary journey from major museums to forgotten archives vividly reconstructing Van Gogh's world. We meet police inspectors and caf patrons prostitutes and madams his beloved brother Theo and fellow painter Paul Gauguin.Why did Van Gogh commit such a brutal act? Who was the mysterious 'Rachel' to whom he presented his macabre gift? Did he really remove his entire ear? Murphy answers these important questions with her groundbreaking discoveries offering a stunning portrait of an artist edging towards madness in his pursuit of excellence.BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKPRIMETIME BBC2 DOCUMENTARY WITH JEREMY PAXMAN
language: English
title: Van Gogh's Ear: The True Story
publisher: Vintage Digital