Vincent Van Gogh drank a lot. He drank the strong drink absinthe, commonly known as "the green fairy," which is thought to create hallucinations. Absinthe was also said to induce the drinker to see a yellow tint around objects, as seen in 'The Starry Night,' according to some. However, more recent research has shown that the amount of absinthe consumed would have to be significant enough to produce this effect, indicating that this was most likely not the cause of Van Gogh's yellow. Absinthe drinking was widespread among artists at the time, therefore its abuse was not uncommon.

It is believed that during the time in Arles while in the Yellow House with Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh’s drinking reached its peak. He lived an eccentric lifestyle while constantly consuming absinthe. He would paint outdoors at night with a candle on his hat, he cut off a portion of his ear and left it at a brothel for a girl named Rachel telling her to “keep this object like a treasure”. Following the incident he was sent to a sanitarium. The people of Arles signed a petition to force Van Gogh from town.