Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Vincent van Gogh · 1889
Why it's great
Van Gogh looks out with a bandage over his ear, wearing a fur cap and a thick coat, with a Japanese print behind him. He painted it after he hurt his ear in December 1888. It's a direct, honest picture of a difficult time. It's among the most famous self-portraits.
Where to see it
📍 Courtauld GalleryLondon, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village in the Netherlands and worked as a teacher and art dealer before becoming a painter at age 27. He lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and finally the sunny south of France, where his colors grew brighter and bolder. He painted more than 800 paintings in about a decade, yet sold almost none while alive. After his death at 37, his brother's family helped make him one of the most loved artists in history.
