Vincent Van Gogh was an individual who defined the image of the tortured artist. He was plagued throughout his life by mental illness, poverty, and the inability to sell his artwork. Absinthe was his tipple of choice and it can be argued that this potent green spirit only exacerbated his unstable mind. He famously cut off a portion of his left ear and gave it to a Prostitute. If only she had preserved that piece of ear and passed it on to her descendants. It would fetch a packet at auction! Van Gogh’s death was as tragic and painful as his life. He shot himself in the chest and died some hours later. Let his life, and death, be a lesson to us all. Absinthe is not for the faint hearted!