The Birth of Modernism

Adam Gopnik in "The New Yorker" wrote an insightful article about the beginnings of moderism in art, and how the story of Vincent van Gogh's severed ear became a talisman of modern painting. Modernism became an inspiring story of sacrifices made and sainthood obtained by artists willing to lose their sanity on its behalf. Read the full article in the link below (subscription required).

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/01/04/100104fa_fact_gopnik