Tuesday, May 5, 2009

What Happened to Vincent's Ear?

Did Gauguin Slash Off Vincent van Gogh’s Ear? - that's the question of a century of speculating. There is a new claim that it was actually Paul Gauguin who cut off Vincent's ear with his epee.

I wrote about this in a song years ago:

(Gauguin) Wrestling with the Angel
[for Paul Gauguin]

Wrestling with the Angel in a crimson field;
Jacob's in a stranglehold. His heart was never healed.
And the spirit of the dead keeps watch.

Oh,
Olympia... just throw caution to the wind!
Manao Tupapau, you're defenseless.
Oh,
Olympia... you're the gilded masterpiece.
And the envy of all the world.

Visions of the Sermon -
Day of God is near.
The
Yellow Christ is crucified and Vincent's lost his ear.
And the spirit of the dead keeps watch.

He struggled to be recognized, failing to achieve,
He left to find his passions, to live what he believed.
His paintings are alive, his soul wrestles to be freed.
He battles with his demons, but can't unplant the seed.

Where do we come from?
What are we?
Where are we going?
How are we gonna get there?