Van Gogh's Ear

Depressed, almost friendless, and haunted by feelings of sexual inadequacy, Vincent van Gogh slashed one of his ears in December 1888, only months before committing suicide. Filmmaker Jack MacInnes's PBS-aired documentary from the Secrets of the Dead series examines van Gogh's self-mutilation, along with the turbulent but productive last months of his life. Bolstered by the patronage of his brother Theo, Vincent moved to the Arles region of southern France, attracted by the moderate climate, colorful Spanish heritage of the region, and hopes of establishing a mutually supportive "artistic brotherhood" there. Van Gogh was inspired by the fields and sunflowers of Arles, but it remained an insular place, with some neighbors scorning Vincent as that "redheaded madman." The impoverished artist was always driven by a need to make money. With his brother's help, artist Paul Gauguin moved in with van Gogh, but this proved to be something of a disastrous case of clashing personalities. In short order, van Gogh found that Theo planned to be married. Afraid of losing Theo's financial support, he also learned that Gauguin had decided to move out. Maddened by this "betrayal," van Gogh cut off his ear, delivering it to a woman in a local brothel. Modern day local resident Bernadette Murphy has spent decades studying van Gogh's breakdown—scouring archives and census rolls, as well as visiting surviving landmarks in the Arles region. While contradictions abound, there is now agreement about the extent of Vincent's injuries, although the reasons for his self-harm still remain in the realm of speculation. Surprisingly, the film does not cover van Gogh's suicide (recent research has even cast doubt on whether it was suicide or injuries suffered after being assaulted by local toughs). Also featuring trips with Murphy to the world-famous Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, this documentary effectively explores an intriguing artistic and medical mystery. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)