The widely accepted story of Van Gogh's severed ear is that Paul Gauguin stormed out of the house during the quarrel that night. In a fit of madness, Van Gogh grabbed a straight razor and followed, intending his friend harm, but returned home instead.

There, he used the weapon on himself, slicing off one ear. He wrapped the wound and delivered the appendage to a maid at the town brothel. In the morning, the police had him taken to the hospital. Gauguin subsequently packed his bags and left for Paris.