Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, in Arles, 1888

The second event of 'the good mental health', in Antonin Artaud's words, of Vincent van Gogh took place on December 1888, when he was 35 years old. At that time, he was living in Arles, to where he moved back from Paris early in the year, and his brother Theo, who had received a legacy from his uncle died on proceeding July, was supporting him in various ways. While Vincent was suffering health declining due to his overwork and malnourishment, Theo managed to ask Paul Gauguin for moving to Arles to stay with Vincent. It is said that ‘Theo felt that Vincent would be happier and more stable in the company of Gauguin and also Theo had hopes that the paintings he would receive from Gauguin, in exchange for his support, would turn a profit. Unlike Vincent, Paul Gauguin was beginning to see a small degree of success from his works’ (http://www.vggallery.com/misc/bio.htm).

Gauguin arrived in Arles by train 23 October 1888 and it is said that initially both painters ‘got on well together, painting on the outskirts of Arles, discussing their art and differing techniques’ (ibid). However, deterioration of the weather took to made them being ‘compelled to stay indoors more and more frequently. As always, Vincent’s temperament (and most likely Gauguin’s as well) fluctuated to match the weather’ (ibid).

Thus, the background of the incident in the question is normally described in context of accumulation of depression in Vincent’s state of mind, unlike what French surrealist says. And the story, according to the biography, ends up in the following way:

‘On 23 December Vincent van Gogh, in an irrational fit of madness, mutilated the lower portion of his left ear. He severed the lobe with a razor, wrapped it in cloth and then took it to a brothel and presented it to one of the women there. Vincent then staggered back to the Yellow House (his famous Studio) where he collapsed. He was discovered by the police and hospitalized at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Arles. After sending a telegram to Theo, Gauguin left immediately for Paris, choosing not to visit Van Gogh in the hospital. Van Gogh and Gauguin would later correspond from time to time, but would never meet in person again’ (ibid).

Vincent van Gogh

For reading the text in full:  http://wrex2009.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/tales-about-vincent-van-gogh-in-antonin-artaud-and-in-a-biography/