Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) — Vincent van Gogh

Dark wit, luminous brush. Van Gogh’s skull—tilted, toothy, and nonchalantly smoking—is painted with quick, lively strokes against a near-black ground. Part memento mori, part art-school prank, it’s a small work with outsized attitude and irresistible graphic bite.

Why it captivates

• Iconic image — a grinning skull with a tiny ember that steals the scene.

• Painterly punch — loose, expressive handling that makes bone feel alive.

• High-contrast drama — pale cranium against velvety dark for maximum wall impact.

• Wry intelligence — equal parts study, satire, and symbol.

• Conversation magnet — striking in studios, libraries, and modern interiors.

What you’ll see

A three-quarter skull turned slightly left, the cigarette glowing at the lip line. Chalky planes of cheekbone and brow catch light; thin, energetic strokes map the mandible, teeth, and sutures. The stark ground throws the form and ember into crisp relief.

A richer historical frame

Painted in 1886, likely in Antwerp while Van Gogh was studying cast drawing, this small canvas riffs on academic practice with a dose of gallows humour. Read as memento mori and as a sly poke at the studio, it shows Van Gogh’s lifelong knack for turning the ordinary—and the macabre—into images that stick.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for high-traffic spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and subtle gradation.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

634 × 841 mm (approx. 24.96 × 33.11 in)

• Orientation: Portrait

• Aspect ratio: ~0.753 : 1 (≈ 3 : 4)

• Nearest standard frame: A1 (594 × 841 mm) — portrait

• Framing tips:

  • Use an A1 frame with a custom mat window cut to ~630 × 837 mm (2–3 mm overlap).

  • Contemporary: float-mount in A1 to show the sheet edge and create a clean shadow gap.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Van Gogh admirers & art students

• Design lovers drawn to bold, high-contrast imagery

• Collectors of witty, iconic modern works

• Gift-givers with a taste for dark humour

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Let Van Gogh’s mischievous skull light up your wall—order your Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette print today.