What Dutch painter is famous for 'Starry Night' and cutting off part of his own ear?

The Dutch Post-Impressionist painter renowned for his iconic work "The Starry Night" and the dramatic incident involving his ear is Vincent van Gogh. Born in the Netherlands in 1853, Van Gogh's distinctive style, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes, profoundly influenced modern art. Despite his immense talent, he struggled with mental illness throughout his life and achieved little recognition during his lifetime, selling only one painting.

"The Starry Night," painted in June 1889, is one of Van Gogh's most celebrated masterpieces. He created this oil-on-canvas work while voluntarily admitted to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, following a mental breakdown. The painting depicts a breathtaking view from his asylum room window, though the swirling, dynamic sky and the prominent cypress tree were largely imagined, reflecting his emotional turmoil and spiritual yearning. This powerful portrayal of a night sky, with its exaggerated stars and luminous crescent moon, has become a touchstone of modern art and is now housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

The infamous ear incident occurred on December 23, 1888, while Van Gogh was living in Arles, France, with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. Following a heated argument, Van Gogh, in a fit of severe depression and mental distress, cut off the lower part of his left ear with a razor. He then wrapped the severed ear and reportedly presented it to a woman at a nearby brothel. This shocking act led to his hospitalization in Arles and subsequently his voluntary admission to the asylum where he would later paint "The Starry Night." The event remains one of the most discussed and tragic episodes in art history, highlighting the profound struggles that often fueled his extraordinary artistic output.