What is the origin of the idiom "have Van Gogh's ear for something" and when to use it?

The idiom "have Van Gogh's ear for something" is a creative play on words, referencing the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, who famously cut off a portion of his own ear. He was known for his exceptional talent in art, so saying someone has a "Van Gogh's ear for something" implies that they have exceptional talent or a natural skill in a particular area, more like Van Gogh's talent in painting.

What is the origin of the idiom "have Van Gogh's ear for music " and when to use it?

This idiom "have Van Gogh's ear for music " likely plays on the famous artist Vincent van Gogh's name and his well-known incident of cutting off a portion of his own ear. He was celebrated for his exceptional talent in the world of art. By using his name in this context, it humorously suggests that someone possesses an extraordinary ability to appreciate and understand music, just as Van Gogh was known to be, besides painting.