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Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh
Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh, with metal frame
Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh, with white wooden frame
Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh, with natural wooden frame
Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh, thumbnail
Vincent van Gogh

Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh - Poster

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Yes, it really is a Van Gogh. In the winter of 1885 to 1886, he briefly enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where students spent hours drawing plaster casts and skeletons. At some point he decided to give one of them a lit cigarette.

The result is a small, darkly funny painting. The skull grins against a black background, the bones of the spine and shoulders picked out in greys and creams, a thin wisp of smoke rising from the jaw. It's often read as a student's prank aimed at stuffy academic teaching, and maybe also as a nod to his own heavy smoking.

It's a conversation starter in a living room, an office or a bar area, and a favourite with fans of vanitas imagery. We sell it as a poster in several sizes. You can browse our complete Van Gogh range for something sunnier. And to see how far he travelled after Antwerp, read the story of what came next in France.

  • Exclusive, expressive wall art designed by Posterscape's talented artists in France, printed and shipped from the USA 🇺🇸.
  • Typical US delivery time: 2–5 business days via our dedicated US logistics partner. Please allow an additional 3–5 business days for framed posters due to the extra time required for careful framing.
  • Our posters are printed on demand in the United States using high-quality FSC-certified paper to help protect the world’s forests.
  • To ensure the best possible finish, we select the paper type based on the artwork’s visual style. Painterly or textured pieces are printed on 200gsm matte art paper, while artworks requiring vibrant, saturated colors (such as abstract gradients or bold graphic designs) are printed on 200gsm semi-gloss paper.
  • Enjoy our free framing service! Your framed poster arrives fully assembled and ready to hang, with no extra cost.
  • High-quality oak wood frames for a timeless look that complements any US-style interior décor.
  • Our framed posters are protected by high-quality, shatterproof plexiglass.
  • Printed locally in the USA for faster delivery and reduced environmental impact.
  • Domestic shipping across the USA, carefully packed and promptly delivered. International shipping also available.
Poster of Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh
Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette (1886) by Vincent van Gogh - PosterRegular price$16.00

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