All tagged true crime

Listener Favorites--Number 1, Part 2: Was Van Gogh Accidentally Murdered? (Season 1, Episode 2)

You voted, and we listened! For the next couple of months, we’re replaying your top five favorite episodes of ArtCurious. Thanks to the many who voted! Up this week, it’s your top choice, our most popular episode ever— was Vincent van Gogh accidentally murdered?

Please note: when it was originally recorded, this episode was our our longest ever. We have since re-recorded it as a more user-friendly double episode, broken into two parts. So if you didn't hear last week's show, please go back and listen in now.

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #2: Was Van Gogh Accidentally Murdered? (UPDATED Season 1, Episode 2) PART TWO

Vincent Van Gogh's suicide is a huge part of the mythology surrounding him: as much as the famous tale of the cut-off ear is. This so-called "tortured genius," it is said, was so broken down by life and failure that he had no choice but to end his life. Right? But in 2011, two Pulitzer Prize-winning authors published a book titled Van Gogh: The Life that stunned the art world. Therein, Gregory White Smith and Stephen Naifeh state that the artist didn't actually commit suicide.

No, they say: he was actually murdered.

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #2: Was Van Gogh Accidentally Murdered? (UPDATED Season 1, Episode 2) PART ONE

Vincent Van Gogh's suicide is a huge part of the mythology surrounding him: as much as the famous tale of the cut-off ear is. This so-called "tortured genius," it is said, was so broken down by life and failure that he had no choice but to end his life. Right? But in 2011, two Pulitzer Prize-winning authors published a book titled Van Gogh: The Life that stunned the art world. Therein, Gregory White Smith and Stephen Naifeh state that the artist didn't actually commit suicide.

No, they say: he was actually murdered.

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #1: Is the Mona Lisa a Fake? (UPDATED Season 1, Episode 1) PART TWO

The inaugural episode of the ArtCurious Podcast explores the world's most famous work of art: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It is iconic, incredible, and unforgettable-- but is the work on view in Paris's Louvre Museum today the real deal? Host Jennifer Dasal uncovers the story of the Mona Lisa from its creation in the 16th century through its 1911 theft and to its current status as untouchable superstar, breaking down the strange stories and rumors swirling around it.

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #1: Is the Mona Lisa a Fake? (UPDATED Season 1, Episode 1) PART ONE

The inaugural episode of the ArtCurious Podcast explores the world's most famous work of art: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It is iconic, incredible, and unforgettable-- but is the work on view in Paris's Louvre Museum today the real deal? Host Jennifer Dasal uncovers the story of the Mona Lisa from its creation in the 16th century through its 1911 theft and to its current status as untouchable superstar, breaking down the strange stories and rumors swirling around it.

Episode #15: Hans-Joachim Bohlmann and Serial Art Vandalism

A few months ago, I began looking into occurrences of art vandalism-- the purposeful destruction or harm of works of art that have occurred consistently, especially throughout the 20th century. As I read up, I saw that most of these events were one-offs: single moments where one person made a rash and ridiculous choice to lash out at a particular work of art. But then, I began to notice one name popping up over and over again- a German man who, over his lifetime, damaged over fifty works of art, creating a name for himself and a lasting impression on the art world. This episode, in a continuation of our Bigger Picture series, digs deeper into art attacks and examine the life and legacy of the vandal Hans-Joachim Bohlmann.