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

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Yes, this really is a Van Gogh. During the winter of 1885–86, he briefly studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where students spent long hours drawing plaster casts and skeletons. At some stage, he decided to give one of the skulls a lit cigarette.

The result is a small painting with a sly sense of humour. The skull grins against a black background, its spine and shoulder bones defined in shades of grey and cream, while a faint thread of smoke curls up from the jaw. It’s often seen as a student’s prank at the expense of stuffy academic teaching, and perhaps as a reference to his own heavy smoking.

It makes a talking point in a lounge, home office or bar nook, including in the more compact homes found around New Zealand, and is a favourite among fans of vanitas imagery. We offer it as a poster in several sizes. Browse the full Van Gogh collection if you’re after something sunnier. To find out how far he travelled after Antwerp, read the story of his next chapter in France.

  • Premium wall art tailored for New Zealand homes, printed and shipped from New Zealand.
  • Standard NZ delivery: 3–6 business days via our New Zealand logistics partner. Please note that framed posters require 2–5 additional business days to allow for custom assembly and secure packaging.
  • All posters are printed on demand in New Zealand using high-quality FSC-certified 200 gsm paper for a durable and eco-conscious finish.
  • Complimentary framing service! Your poster arrives fully framed and ready to hang, at no extra charge.
  • High-quality oak frames that blend seamlessly with both modern and classic interiors.
  • Our framed posters are protected by high-quality, shatterproof plexiglass.
  • Local production and dispatch within New Zealand ensure faster delivery and lower environmental impact.
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$30.00

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