New Book 'Killing Vincent' Says Vincent van Gogh Was Murdered
Denver, CO, October 12, 2018 - Vincent van Gogh's death in July 1890 has always been believed to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound into his belly. This 19th-century suicide theory has come under recent scrutiny when TIME magazine, on their October 31, 2011, cover, asked the question, "Who Killed van Gogh?" and then followed up with their culture cover, "Was van Gogh's Death Really a Suicide?"
I. Kaufman Arenberg, MD, a prominent (retired) ear surgeon, has been publishing on van Gogh ever since he wrote a cover-featured "Special Communication" article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). This report, whose publication coincided with the 100th anniversary of Vincent's death in July 1990, corrected the old misdiagnosis for Vincent's noteworthy "attacks"—attributing them to an inner-ear disease (Meniere's disease) and not to epilepsy. He never believed at that time that van Gogh committed suicide.
Now, from that same doctor, comes another stunner: His analysis and new, 21st-century forensic evidence strongly suggests the artist was a victim of murder.
In his new book, Killing Vincent: The Man, the Myth and the Murder, Arenberg invites readers to examine the evidence he's unearthed since the JAMA article was published, while calling for a more thorough look into this cold case using 21st-century forensic simulations and reenactments with the same antique revolver that might have been used in the murder, vintage black powder bullets and FBI ballistic gel.
Arenberg has continued his groundbreaking research to this day and, in his book, he shares the evidence he's unearthed since his revelations in 1990. Arenberg says his research strongly suggests that the artist may have been murdered and that an elaborate scheme was concocted to make it appear that he committed suicide.
Did van Gogh take his own life in a fit of madness? Or did something much more sinister happen to one of the world's greatest visionaries?
"Everyone is fascinated and intrigued by the iconic Vincent,” said Arenberg. "But when you substitute premeditated murder and an elaborate cover-up, then add to that an intriguing romantic twist that could provide a motive for his murder—you will really have everyone's attention!”
Killing Vincent also features interactive elements, including social media platforms as well as a website, allowing readers to interact on a dedicated forum and discuss various theories about van Gogh's life and death.
Arenberg, a noted author of medical works, now takes his first stab at nonfiction. He has served on the boards of several peer-reviewed journals and was made the youthful Associate Editor of the AMA Archives of Otolaryngology in 1968. He has edited six books, published 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and published or presented more than 500 abstracts, papers or book chapters on ear diseases, hearing, balance and tinnitus, and specifically Meniere's disease. He has lectured extensively in many countries and was a visiting professor at many distinguished medical schools and teaching hospitals. He founded and ran three nonprofit organizations and has been awarded three international gold medal honor awards.
To learn more, check out the intriguing and in-depth website, www.killingvincent.com. This website also features an ongoing, interactive forum and other interactive elements, including social media platforms that allow readers to interact and discuss various theories about van Gogh's life and death with the author. The TOC, Foreword, Preface and Chapter One can be immediately viewed the on the website.
