Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime, "The Red Vineyard," despite creating over 2,000 artworks. He painted "Starry Night" while staying at a mental asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. 

Van Gogh cut off his left ear, not his entire ear, and it is believed he did this after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. He then wrapped it up and gave it to a woman at a brothel.