Snatch of a poem comes to mind. Can anyone help a memory that fails to come up with author or title (it's about museum guards, "Gray Shades" or something like that)? "Edgar Degas bought an El Greco He kept it by his bed And hung his pants on it While he slept." Re van Gogh's ear: A friend who suffers from Meuniere's syndrome (characterized by ringing in the ears, attacks of dizziness, impaired hearing) says some authorities suggest Van Gogh may have had the same.