Gossip & Rumors
Van Gogh's Severed Ear -- Bloody Cover-Up?

Van Gogh cover upQuestion: What do you call a snail who cut off his own ear?

The answer used to be Escar Van Gogh -- (get it?) -- but according to a new report on the painter's legendary ear, the joke may no longer be accurate (still funny though)!

Some art historians claim Van Gogh may not have cut off his own ear with a razor -- as the stories go -- but instead his ear was sliced off by another man ... another famous painter!

Two German historians claim there is enough evidence to support their claim that Paul Gauguin, a post-impressionist painter who happened to be a fencing badass, most likely cut off V.G.'s ear during a sword fight. Ze Germans also claim the two men decided it would be in their best interest to cover up the truth.

According to reports, the curators at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam are still backing the legendary self-mutilation story -- but one fact remains ... a snail that has to pee will still be known as Escar Gotta Go.

Tags: cover up, cover ups, CoverUp, CoverUps, ear, history, Paul gauguin, PaulGauguin, vincent van gogh, VincentVanGogh

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(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. Once more TMZ is totally innaccurate. Van Gogh had tinnitus and cut off his ear in hopes to stop the "bees buzzing" in his head.

Could someone at TMZ read the "Cannons of Journalism"?

Posted at 1:32PM on May 5th 2009 by Marketing Sociologist

17. You guys work for PBS now? One of my favorite artists though saw his paintings in Boston.

Posted at 4:06PM on May 5th 2009 by Kilmerfan

18. Who really cares..both of them are dead, I just love Van Gogh for his master pieces..I am sure somebody else appreciate that. Right?

Posted at 12:06PM on May 6th 2009 by fred smilek

19. Hahahaha....hilarious piece TMZ...hilarious! I'm definitely appreciating the wit and humor from bit.

Posted at 7:17PM on May 6th 2009 by paale

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