Re-imagining Vincent Van Gogh’s 1889 painting, Starry Night, as a moving image.

New research suggests that 19th century artist Vincent Van Gogh’s act of self mutilation in cutting off his ear, may not in fact have been self mutilation at all, but rather was occasioned by fellow artist Paul Gauguin.

Two German art historians, who have spent 10 years reviewing the police investigations, witness accounts and the artists’ letters, argue that Gauguin, a fencing ace, most likely sliced off the ear with his sword during a fight, and the two artists agreed to hush up the truth.