VAN GOGHS EAR

kronckew · 20th March 2023, 07:50 PM

Duelling Épées, especially late 19c ones & more modern fencing ones, are thrusting weapons without cutting edges. I suspect'épée'' may have been used in the older sense of just meaning a 'sword' as it is derived from the original Latin 'spatha'. He likely had a more deadly sword with a sharpened edge. Maybe even a short sword/hanger/hunting sword - or even a sword-stick with a sharp blade.

(I was '1st Épée' on my college fencing team. Our coach was a crusty, skinny 90-year-old 5 Ft. 2 in. ex-Hungarian cavalry officer from WW1, he was late for practice one evening - we found out he'd been attacked by a couple of muggers in the Bronx that delayed him. He put both of them in the hospital. I presume with his walking stick/cane. He also was an Olympic coach at NYU.) (No, it wasn't a sword-stick)

Considering his tempestuous relationship with Gauguin, the tale is likely more believable than the cover-up that he did it himself.

20th March 2023, 07:50 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,239	Duelling Épées, especially late 19c ones & more modern fencing ones, are thrusting weapons without cutting edges. I suspect'épée'' may have been used in the older sense of just meaning a 'sword' as it is derived from the original Latin 'spatha'. He likely had a more deadly sword with a sharpened edge. Maybe even a short sword/hanger/hunting sword - or even a sword-stick with a sharp blade. (I was '1st Épée' on my college fencing team. Our coach was a crusty, skinny 90-year-old 5 Ft. 2 in. ex-Hungarian cavalry officer from WW1, he was late for practice one evening - we found out he'd been attacked by a couple of muggers in the Bronx that delayed him. He put both of them in the hospital. I presume with his walking stick/cane. He also was an Olympic coach at NYU.) (No, it wasn't a sword-stick) Considering his tempestuous relationship with Gauguin, the tale is likely more believable than the cover-up that he did it himself.