It’s the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, born in Zundert, Holland March 30, 1853. Many people think he was French because his painting fame comes from his time there.

He is known for his sunflowers, starry nights and Impressionism - and because he cut at his ear and committed suicide at the age of 37.

His brother Theo was an art dealer, and for years he had supplied Van Gogh with a small monthly stipend; in return, Van Gogh gave his brother every canvas he painted.

He wrote thousands of letters to Theo. In one letter he wrote:

“How much sadness there is in life. The right thing is to work.”

He moved to a small town north of Paris and painted feverishly until some kind of insanity overtook him.

Two days before he died, he wrote:

“I feel a failure. That’s it as far as I’m concerned — I feel that this is the destiny that I accept, that will never change.”

writersalmanac.publicradio.org