The best-known incident in Van Gogh’s life is also the least understood. Interweaving the story of her own detective work with that of the artist’s final crisis, Bernadette Murphy reconstructs Van Gogh’s Arles, with its cafés and brothels. She explores his relationships with his brother Theo and fellow painter Gauguin, and identifies many locals he knew, including policemen, prostitutes, shepherds, artists, and the mysterious Rachel, recipient of his severed ear.