Just an artist would be an understatement in my never humble opinion. I've not read Van Gogh's letters, but mebbe I should. I would say that that most of the impressionists and expressionists were analytical thinkers to some degree. They had to be. They were charting new ground that was not so much based on asthetics. From the paintings I've seen, I'd say Van Gogh was a great painter as well, but that's a matter of definition.
By the way, I used to live up in your stomping grounds and would visit the MFA on occasion. Regrettably, as you prolly know, it has only a handful of his paintings, and is the case for many art museums, it has too many Matisse's and Monet's. Can't swing a cat in an art museum without hitting one.
I didn't know that Gaugin had cut his ear off. I'd call it ironic that the artist famous for tranquil Tahitian themes was the same guy who de-eared Van Gogh.
