In the aftermath of the 23 December 1888 breakdown that resulted in the self-mutilation of his left ear,[REF][REF] Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole lunatic asylum on 8 May 1889 [REF].
During the year Van Gogh stayed at the asylum, the prolific output of paintings he had begun in Arles continued [REF].