What do historians disagree about regarding Vincent van Gogh’s ear injury?

While the traditional account holds that Vincent van Gogh mutilated his own ear following a heated argument with Paul Gauguin, modern art historians have challenged this narrative, leading to significant debate regarding the events of December 23, 1888.123

Key areas of historical disagreement include:

• The Perpetrator: While the long-accepted version is that van Gogh committed self-mutilation, some historians, such as Hans Kaufmann and Rita Wildegans, argue that Gauguin may have actually injured van Gogh during their altercation.13
• The Weapon: Theories regarding the injury involve either a razor, as suggested by the traditional self-mutilation account, or a sword, which some researchers propose was used by Gauguin.13
• The "Pact of Silence": Proponents of the theory involving Gauguin suggest that the two artists agreed to a "pact of silence," claiming self-mutilation to protect Gauguin from legal consequences.3
• The Recipient: There is also uncertainty regarding to whom the ear was delivered; while often reported as a prostitute, some evidence suggests it may have been a cleaning woman named Gabrielle Berlatier.2