why did van gogh cut off his ear

Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his own left ear on the night of December 23, 1888, during a severe mental health crisis after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. The two had been living together in Arles, France, and their fraught relationship and temperamental clashes contributed to Van Gogh's emotional turmoil. After the argument, Van Gogh reportedly chased Gauguin with a razor before turning the blade on himself and severing his ear. He then wrapped the ear in paper and gave it to a woman at a nearby brothel, instructing her to "keep this object carefully." This act has been interpreted as a manifestation of his psychological distress, self-punishment, or a desperate plea for help. Van Gogh was subsequently hospitalized and later admitted to a psychiatric asylum. This incident marked a significant and tragic moment in his life and artistic career.