Why did Paul Gauguin leave Arles after the ear incident?

Paul Gauguin left Arles for Paris after his relationship with Vincent van Gogh became increasingly tumultuous, characterized by frequent, heated arguments over their differing artistic philosophies and temperaments.12

The situation reached a breaking point on December 23, 1888, following a violent altercation. While the traditional account states that van Gogh attempted to attack Gauguin with a razor before mutilating his own ear, some art historians have challenged this narrative. Based on an examination of police records and correspondence, researchers have proposed that Gauguin may have actually been responsible for the injury, potentially using a sword, and that the two artists agreed to a "pact of silence" to protect Gauguin by framing the event as self-mutilation. Regardless of the specific details of the incident, the event effectively ended their collaboration, prompting Gauguin to depart Arles after a stay of only two months.12