Self-Portpait with Bandaged Ear Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

This is a self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh, painted in January 1889. Van Gogh depicts himself with a bandaged ear, a direct reference to the notorious incident where he cut off a portion of his left ear after a quarrel with Paul Gauguin.

What I see:

• Subject: The painting is a head-and-shoulders self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh. He is looking directly at the viewer with a somber, almost weary expression.
• Key Detail: The most striking element is the large white bandage wrapped around his left ear and jaw.
• Attire: He is wearing a dark green, possibly wool, coat with a dark collar and a single visible button. Underneath, a white shirt is visible. He is also wearing a dark, fuzzy hat, possibly a fur hat, pulled down over his head.
• Background: The background is relatively sparse. The wall behind him appears to be a pale, muted green or beige, with some faint vertical and diagonal lines that might suggest wooden planks or a rough texture. To the right of his head, there is a brightly colored print on the wall, featuring figures in traditional Japanese attire and what looks like a mountain or landscape in the distance. To the far right, a dark vertical element could be a window frame or the edge of a door.
• Color Palette: The colors are generally muted, with dominant greens and earth tones in his coat and the background, contrasted by the stark white of the bandage, the bright colors of the print, and the vivid blue of his hat. His skin tone is rendered with a mix of yellows, oranges, and touches of blue and green, reflecting the impressionistic style of the time.
• Brushwork: The brushstrokes are visible and energetic, characteristic of Van Goghs style, with thick applications of paint that create texture and movement.

Subtexts:

• Mental Anguish and Self-Harm: The bandaged ear is an undeniable symbol of Van Goghs severe mental distress and self-inflicted injury. It’s a raw and unflinching representation of his inner turmoil. The direct gaze and sober expression suggest he is confronting his own suffering.
• Vulnerability and Resilience: Despite the visible wound and implied suffering, Van Gogh is presenting himself to the viewer. This act can be interpreted as both an admission of vulnerability and a display of resilience, an attempt to continue creating and engaging with the world even in the face of immense personal pain.
• Influence of Japanese Art: The presence of the Japanese print (likely a Ukiyo-e woodblock print) is significant. Van Gogh was deeply fascinated by Japanese art, which he saw as offering a different, more vibrant, and direct way of seeing and representing the world. Including it in his self-portrait might signify his artistic aspirations, his continued search for inspiration, or perhaps a longing for a world he perceived as more serene or beautiful than his own reality. It could also represent an attempt to bring elements of beauty and order into his current chaotic state.
• Isolation and Introspection: The self-portrait format itself inherently suggests introspection and a focus on the self. The relatively bare background could emphasize his isolation, drawing all attention to his internal state. He is presented as alone with his thoughts and his physical pain.
• Artistic Identity: By painting himself in such a raw state, Van Gogh is asserting his identity as an artist who confronts reality, including the difficult and the painful, through his work. This painting is a powerful testament to his personal struggle and his dedication to art as a means of expression and survival.