Van Gogh, Vincent (1853-1890)
Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette (Kop van een skelet met brandende sigaret)
1886
Oil on canvas, 32.3 x 24.8 cm
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
F0212-JH0999
This skeleton with a burning cigarette is a student-like joke. Van Gogh painted it during the time he was taking lessons at the Antwerp art academy, in early 1886. The painting shows that he had a good command of anatomy.
Drawing skeletons was a common exercise at the academy. But painting it was not on the program. He will have done that at another time, between lessons, or afterwards. (VGM)