Skull With Burning Cigarette By Vincent Van Gogh
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Skull With Burning Cigarette By Vincent Van Gogh
Skull with Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Gogh is officially titled Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette. Van Gogh painted the small, startling work in Antwerp around January–February 1886 while studying at the city’s art academy. A human skeleton turns toward the viewer with a lit cigarette between its teeth, combining anatomical study with dark humour. Catalogued as F 212 / JH 999, the historical oil-on-canvas painting measures approximately 32 × 24.5 cm and belongs to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
A Van Gogh with a Sense of Humour
The Van Gogh Museum describes this work as a youthful or juvenile joke rather than treating it as a solemn statement about death.
That is important because the skull-and-cigarette image is frequently surrounded by elaborate modern symbolism. The museum’s evidence-based interpretation is simpler: Van Gogh knew anatomical study from the academy and turned the skeleton motif into an irreverent painting.
Van Gogh at the Antwerp Academy
Van Gogh enrolled at the Antwerp art academy in early 1886. Drawing skeletons was a standard method for studying human anatomy.
Painting skeletons was not part of the normal curriculum, so the museum suggests that he probably made the work independently between or after lessons.
A Small Painting with Immediate Impact
The original is only around 32 cm high, but the close crop gives the skull a monumental presence. Its dark background, pale bone structure and cigarette ember create a highly concentrated image.
This makes it effective both as a relatively small framed reproduction and as an enlarged statement canvas.
Historical Artwork Details
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh |
|---|---|
| Official title | Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette |
| Catalogue references | F 212 / JH 999 |
| Date | January–February 1886 |
| Created at | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Original medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | Approximately 32 × 24.5 cm |
| Subject | Human skeleton with a burning cigarette |
| Current collection | Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam |
| Museum object number | s0083V1962 |
The historical original belongs to the Van Gogh Museum. Alpha Art Gallery offers reproductions rather than the original artwork.
Choose Your Skull with Burning Cigarette Reproduction
| Format | Presentation |
|---|---|
| Canvas Print | Bold, graphic wall presentation |
| Fine Art Print | Detailed traditional reproduction |
| Framed Print | Finished presentation for a compact portrait-format composition |
| Hand-Painted Oil Reproduction | Individually recreated bone structure, background and cigarette |
Alpha Art Gallery offers 400–450 GSM canvas prints and individually created hand-painted oil reproductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct title?
Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette.
When did Van Gogh paint it?
Around January–February 1886 in Antwerp.
Why did Van Gogh paint a skeleton?
He was studying anatomy at the Antwerp academy, where drawing skeletons was a normal educational exercise.
Was it intended as a serious memento mori?
That interpretation is possible, but the Van Gogh Museum emphasizes its character as an irreverent youthful joke.
Where is the original?
The Van Gogh Museum.
How large is it?
Approximately 32 × 24.5 cm.
Can it be ordered hand-painted?
Yes.
Does Alpha Art Gallery ship worldwide?
Yes, with free worldwide shipping.
| 1. Select Type |
Museum Canvas, Fine Art Paper, Hand-Painted Oil Painting, Satin Photo Paper |
|---|---|
| 2. Select Finish Option |
Rolled Canvas, Rolled- No Frame, Black Frame with Matt, White Frame with Matt, Black Frame No Matt, White Frame No Matt, Streched Canvas, Black Floating Frame, White Floating Frame, Brown Floating Frame, Rolled No Framed, Streched, Natural Floating Frame, Champagne Floating Frame, Gold Floating Frame |
| 3. Select Size |
60cm X 90cm [24" x 36"], 76cm X 114cm [30" x 45"], 82cm X 120cm [32" x 48"], 100cm X 150cm [40" x 60"], 22cm X 30cm [9" x 12"], 16.54 x 11.69"(A3), 25cm x 76cm [10" x 30"], 41cm x 61cm [16" x 24"], 20cm x 25Cm [8" x 10"], 30cm x 45Cm [12" x 18"], 35cm x 50Cm [14" x 20"], 45cm x 60 cm [18" x 24"], 35cm x 53Cm [14" x 21"], 66cm X 101cm[26" x 40"], 76cm x 116cm [30"x 46"], 50cm X 60cm [16" x 24"], 121cm X 182cm [48" x 72"], 135cm X 200cm [54" x 79"], 165cm x 205cm [65" x 81"], 183cm x 228cm [72" x 90"], 45cm x60cm [16" x 24'], 75cm X 100cm [30" x 40"], 121cm x 193cm [48" x 76"], 45cm x 60cm [16" x 24'], 50cm X 60cm 16" x 24"] |