Why is the story of Vincent van Gogh cutting off his ear uncertain?

The circumstances surrounding Vincent van Gogh’s self-mutilation on December 23, 1888, remain uncertain because the event is thinly documented and obscured by layers of myth and anecdote.12

While it is widely reported that van Gogh severed his own ear following a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin, the exact nature of the incident is debated by historians. Several factors contribute to this uncertainty:13

• Alternative Theories: Some art historians have proposed that Gauguin may have been directly involved in the altercation, potentially injuring van Gogh himself.13
• Contributing Factors: Theories regarding the cause range from a manifestation of a mental health crisis or a desperate plea for help to the potential influence of absinthe consumption.13
• Lack of Documentation: Because the most sensational events of his life are poorly recorded, modern scholars are actively working to reconstruct the facts and penetrate the "mythology" that has grown around his life and struggles.2

Ultimately, the lack of definitive contemporary evidence makes it difficult to distinguish between the established narrative and potential historical inaccuracies.2