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"Skull of a Skeleton whit Cigarette" is an early work by Van Gogh. The small and undated oil-on-canvas painting featuring a skeleton and cigarette is a part of the permanent collection of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Commentary on conservative academic (before painting live human models, the academic routine would have included studies of skeleton, to develop an understanding of human anatomy) an assumption based on the fact that Van Gogh was in Antwerp at the time, attending classes at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (classes he would later say were boring and taught him nothing). 

The painting measures 32 by 24.5 centimetres. It is considered a vanitas or memento mori, at a time when Van Gogh was in poor health. The painting often is interpreted as a criticism of smoking bus Van Gogh was a smoker and he continued to smoke until his death in 1890. The painting was held by Van Gogh's brother Theo Van Gogh until his death in 1891. It was inherited by his window Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger until her death in 1925. After it was acquired by the Van Gogh foundation. It was on loan to the Stedelijk Museum from 1962 to 1973, and has been on permanent loan to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam since 1973. This painting has given me a strong sense of sadness but at the same time is very realistic. It's very beautiful!  Sara Lepre 3H