WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY

Vincent van Gogh's stark portrayal of physical and mental ill-health carries an important message of hope and determination

- CHARLOTTE HODGMAN

Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent van Gogh, January 1889

On 7 January 1889, Vincent van Gogh was discharged from the hospital after one of the most traumatic events of his life. Heavily bandaged and missing his left ear, which he had violently mutilated some two weeks earlier while in the throes of a mental crisis, the 35-year-old artist made his way home. In a letter to his younger brother, Theo, 10 days later, he seemed cautiously optimistic for the future but still mentally fragile: "I retain all good hope. But I feel weak and a little anxious and fearful... I've started work again and I already have three studies done in the studio..."

One of those three studies was this remarkable self-portrait, created in the wake of his recent breakdown and sent to his concerned brother in a bid to reassure him that he was recovering well.

A STATEMENT OF COURAGE

"The forlorn expression on Van Gogh's drawn face and the bulky bandage covering his wound makes it easy to assume that this is a painting of deep sadness," says Dr Karen Serres, curator of paintings at The Courtauld Gallery in London. “But for me, it's an incredible statement of courage.