The "Madness" of Vincent Van Gogh

Various diagnoses have been suggested for the illness(es) of Vincent, and there have been numerous written references dedicated to this thematic. Obviously, the reliability of most hypothetical diagnoses, formulated a posteriori, is questionable: several of these diagnoses have been made by art critics and literary figures, not by physicians, and sometimes is evident the formulation of incorrect clinical and fictional interpretations, added to a manifest lack of the necessary epidemiological contextualization. So, as a medical infectious disease doctor, I try to make a diagnosis here that I suppose is plausible, based on both clinical and epidemiological aspects.

There is a relevant question for the interpretation of the collection of Vincent van Gogh’s painting from the the last years of his precarious existence. In the pseudotumor cerebri vision disturbances occur most often, whether permanent or recurrent. It should be noted that Vincent complained several times about problems with his eyes.

Finally, let us analyze van Gogh’s painting in the light of the possible existence of a Lyme neuroborreliosis with pseudotumor cerebri. Ophthalmological disorders - namely papilla edema - could explain Vincent’s need to use an excessive chromatic intensity so that he himself could perceive the colors he wanted to print in his painting.