At school I was taught, like you said, that Van Gogh cut a little part of his ear and he did send it to a woman (not necessarily mail it). I don't remember any reference for her being a prostitute. He was in love with that woman and wanted to give her something and since he was broke and didn't have any belongings to give her, *he gave her a part of himself*.
He was in love with that woman and wanted to give her something and since he was broke and didn't have any belongings to give her, *he gave her a part of himself*.