Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh invited fellow Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin to live with him in Arles, with the vision of creating a collective of artists in 'The Yellow House'. During Gauguin's stay, the friendship between the two deteriorated, and they ended up having constant arguments and fights. In December of 1888 the tension had become so high that when Gauguin threatened to leave Arles, Vincent approached him with a razor blade. Gauguin left, and later that evening van Gogh appeared in a brothel with his severed ear, gifting it to one of the prostitutes.