Skull
1887 Van Gogh Museum
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts a human skull, likely created during van Gogh's time studying anatomy in Antwerp. It showcases his distinctive brushwork and use of color even in a still life subject.
Did you know?
Van Gogh painted 'Skull' around 1887 while attending art academies in Antwerp, where students often drew from anatomical plaster casts and real skeletons. This practice was common for artists to understand human form and proportions. While it's sometimes interpreted as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality, it was primarily an academic exercise for van Gogh, showcasing his unique style applied even to a somber subject.
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Skull
Vincent van Gogh, 1887
