À propos de l’œuvre
Crâne avec cigarette allumée, par Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh · January - February 1886 · Antwerp, Belgium
Skull with lit cigaretteReproduction of oil painting on canvas
A skeleton squeezes a lit cigarette between its teeth. Behind this funny and macabre image, Van Gogh shows his knowledge of anatomy and irreverently diverts the academic exercises he was then following in Antwerp.
Look at the work
A macabre joke painted seriously
The skull is shown almost from the front, facing slightly to the left. Dark eye sockets, teeth and jaw joints are described by cold grays, ochres and whites. The cigarette crosses the mouth diagonally; a small red ember marks the end.
Van Gogh painted this small canvas while studying at the Antwerp Academy. Drawing skeletons was part of anatomy teaching, but students did not usually paint them. The museum therefore presents the work like a youthful joke and a possible criticism of academic conventions.
The contrast between the funeral subject and the smoking cigarette gives the anatomical study its instantly recognizable humor.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
Reproduction must combine credible anatomy, an almost black background and a free touch, without transforming the skull into a smooth illustration.
A cold light
The forehead and cheekbones receive grayish whites, opposed to brown and black hollows. These gaps build volume without theatrical lighting.
A readable anatomy
Skull sutures, zygomatic arch and teeth are indicated with economy. The painting remains lively and abbreviated despite the precision of the observation.
The embers as an accent
The tiny orange-red of the cigarette focuses the eye. The discreet smoke and white diagonal introduce an absurd presence into academic study.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
The Van Gogh Museum located the work in Antwerp, in January or February 1886, shortly before the artist's departure for Paris.
The Antwerp Academy
Van Gogh takes courses in ancient drawing and anatomy. The study of skeletons is then a normal exercise for understanding the structure of the human body.
A youthful joke
The museum insists on the humorous character of the canvas. The motif diverts the serious exercise into a satirical image, without losing the quality of the observation.
Inventory s0083V1962
The work is kept at the Van Gogh Museum and bears the references F0212 and JH0999 in the artist's catalogs.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The painter must respect the proportions of the skull, the transitions between bones and cavities, as well as the tiny incandescent accent of the cigarette.
- The shape of the forehead, cheekbones and jaw
- Cold whites and ochres modeled on the brown-black background
- The row of teeth, painted without mechanical outline
- The cigarette, its red embers and the barely visible smoke
Work sheet
| Title | Skull with lit cigarette |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | January-february 1886 |
| Place of creation | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 32.3 × 24.8 cm |
| Inventory | s0083V1962· F0212· JH0999 |
| Conservation | Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
A cult little image, sober and offbeat
The compact format is suitable for a cabinet of curiosities, a desk or a wall of frames. The almost monochrome range easily integrates with dark woods, black metal and minimalist interiors.
Frequently asked questions
Before ordering
Is this a canvas print?
No. Each reproduction is manually painted in oil on canvas. Brushstrokes and material variations belong to the final result.
How is the visual reference chosen?
The visual reference comes from the official IIIF image from the Van Gogh Museum, reduced to 3,000 px on the long side and converted to WebP without artificial enlargement.
Can I check the result before shipping?
Yes. Photographs of the finished painting are sent to you; you can request alterations before validating the shipment.
Are custom formats possible?
Yes. The format can be adapted to your wall while maintaining the proportions and balance of the original composition.
