Though most Impressionist painters enjoyed harmonious relationships, tensions occasionally arose, with the most talked-about rifts being those between Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas, and Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.
Manet and Degas first met at the Louvre, between 1862 and 1868. At the time, Manet’s groundbreaking works, depicting scenes of contemporary urban life, had already begun to shock and captivate audiences. Inspired by Manet, Degas broke away from his aristocratic upbringing and self-absorbed refinement, turning his attention to the everyday lives of ordinary people. Through Manet, he also cam to know Monet, Renoir, and others.
However, their relationship soured when Degas painted a portrait of Manet and his wife. Not long after, Manet inexplicably slashed the canvas. Furious, Degas took back the painting, effectively ending their friendship. The reasons for the fallout remain unclear, but some speculate that Degas’ unflinchingly honest portrayal of the couple’s complex relationship and his revealing their private tensions might have struck too close to home for Manet igniting his anger. After Degas’ death, it was discovered that he had attempted to repair the painting, suggesting that, despite his aloof and proud demeanor, Degas may have harbored lingering feelings of admiration and connection toward Manet.
Van Gogh and Gauguin, two struggling artists, crossed paths in the chilly autumn of 1886. Finding a kindred spirit in Gauguin, Van Gogh invited him to join a “shared” studio in Arles, in the south of France, envisioning it as a haven for artistic collaboration. To welcome Gauguin, Van Gogh even painted a series of Sunflowers as a gift.
For the first three weeks, their partnership was fruitful. Gauguin began to appreciate the expressive power of Van Gogh’s thick, impasto technique, which added depth to his own work, making it bolder and more textured. Meanwhile, Van Gogh learned from Gauguin's refined compositions and abstract tendencies. However, their differences soon led to discord.
Van Gogh’s volatile temperament and emotional instability clashed with Gauguin’s composed and methodical nature. After multiple heated arguments, their relationship reached a breaking point. The fallout culminated in Van Gogh famously severing his left ear, an act shrouded in mystery. Was it self-inflicted? Or did Gauguin, in a moment of conflict, cause the injury? Did their deteriorating friendship play a role? The truth remains an enigma to this day.
