This Day in History:, Van Gogh Cuts off His Ear .<br />December 23, 1888.<br />Van Gogh mutilated his earlobe <br />during a fit of dementia<br />while staying in Arles, France.<br />The Dutch painter was sharing a house at <br />the time with fellow artist Paul Gauguin.<br />Van Gogh allegedly lashed out at Gauguin <br />with a knife before using it on himself.<br />He is said to have given his earlobe to <br />a prostitute who worked at a nearby brothel.<br />Van Gogh checked himself into a <br />mental hospital in Saint-Remy <br />following a brief hospitalization in Arles.<br />During this period, he experienced<br />intense moments of creativity, painting some <br />of his most known works, such as 'The Starry Night.' .<br />Though he sold only one painting during his lifetime, <br />Van Gogh's work now auctions for <br />prices in the tens of millions
