<P> Paul Gauguin's Armchair, 1888 . Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam </P> <P> The exact sequence of events which led to Van Gogh's mutilation of his ear is not known . Gauguin stated, fifteen years later, that the night followed several instances of physically threatening behaviour . Their relationship was complex, and Theo may have owed money to Gauguin, who was suspicious that the brothers were exploiting him financially . It seems likely that Van Gogh had realised that Gauguin was planning to leave . The following days saw heavy rain, leading to the two men being shut in the Yellow House . Gauguin reported that Van Gogh followed when Gauguin left the house for a walk, and "rushed towards me, an open razor in his hand". This account is uncorroborated; Gauguin was almost certainly absent from the Yellow House that night, most likely in a hotel . </P> <P> After the altercation with Gauguin, Van Gogh returned to his room, where he was assaulted by voices and severed his left ear with a razor (either wholly or in part; accounts differ), causing severe bleeding . He bandaged the wound, wrapped the ear in paper, and delivered the package to a woman at a brothel Van Gogh and Gauguin both frequented . Van Gogh was found unconscious the next morning by a policeman and taken to hospital, where Félix Rey, a young doctor still in training, treated him . The ear was delivered to the hospital, but Rey did not attempt to reattach it as too much time had passed . </P> <P> Van Gogh had no recollection of the event, suggesting that he may have suffered an acute mental breakdown . The hospital diagnosis was "acute mania with generalised delirium", and within a few days the local police ordered that he be placed in hospital care . Gauguin immediately notified Theo, who on 24 December had proposed marriage to his old friend Andries Bonger's sister Johanna . That evening Theo rushed to the station to board a night train to Arles . He arrived on Christmas Day and comforted Vincent, who seemed to be semi-lucid . That evening he left Arles for the return trip to Paris . </P>

Who was the artist that cut his ear off
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