A journalist tracked down the farmer’s daughter’s full name after a new book on the artist, referred to the woman.
The breakthrough will further add to the international interest and intrigue around the painter who became renowned for self-mutilation, mental illness and for creating brilliant works of art.
Van Gogh sliced off his ear in 1888, with newspaper reports at the time said he’d given it to a woman named Rachel. Now in a new book, it’s reported that "Rachel" may have been the nickname of Gabrielle Berlatier, a maid at a brothel in Arles in southern France.
The new book’s author says she had promised the woman’s descendants she would keep her surname a secret, until they gave her permission to reveal it.
Van Gogh is said to have handed over the ear to her with the words "keep this object carefully". He died two years later.
