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What is particularly interesting and important about the piece is the ear. Vincent’s focus is on the ear, which is deliberately turned towards us. Van Gogh was never good at taking and sharing ideas with other artists. When Vincent and fellow artist Gaugin fell out Vincent felt it was his capacity to listen that was to blame. Gaugin fled the village despite Vincent offering him his ear to listen (his cut off ear). Unlike many of his earlier self-portraits Vincent paints himself in drab, dull clothes, without his traditional tie and hat. I think by this stage he had given up looking smart and in despair. What I notice most about this piece is the shape of his face; unlike his earlier work the face is ugly. Van Goghs later work changed he seemed to make everyone look as ugly as possible. A drawn face and with every imperfection enounced, no wonder the onlooker is depressed to look at this piece. The background is colorful but