Back to Show
            
            
                
                
             
            
        
        Secrets of the Dead
            Why did Vincent van Gogh cut his ear?
During his 15-month stay in the city of Arles, in the south of France, an aspiring artist Vincent van Gogh would paint more than two hundred paintings that captured the people and places he encountered. But during his time here, he would also suffer a cataclysmic breakdown, culminating in an act of bloody self-mutilation. What led to the tragic downfall of this tortured genius?
Support Provided By
                 
    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Scientists study medieval bubonic plague victims in hopes of preventing future outbreaks.
        
        
     
    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
        
        
     
    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
        
        
     
    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          54:25
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the post-war life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          54:50
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Priceless artifacts in Laos reveal holy sites from the early days of the Khmer Empire.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            The discovery of priceless artifacts in Laos sheds light on the ancient Khmer Empire.
        
        
     
    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Uncover the mystery behind the discovery of more than 50 "vampire" burials.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:23
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            A search for the remains of Black Union soldiers murdered toward the end of the Civil War.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Scientists attempt to read ancient scrolls carbonized by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
        
        
     
    
                            
                            Unlock with PBS Passport
                        
                    
                
                
                    
                        
  
  
    
      
    
  
  
    
      
        
          55:15
        
      
    
  
  
                    
                
            Learn the untold story of Maria Anna Mozart, Wolfgang’s older sister and collaborator.
        
        
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    