START WITH ART: Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette

Good morning! We begin each day by examining a piece of art from history. Today’s artwork is pictured below. Take a look, then read the questions to the students/children in your life and watch how starting the day with art can ignite creativity and critical thinking!

It's that time of year again so we're re-visiting this spooky skeleton! Let's START WITH ART! 

Title: Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette

Artist: Vincent van Gogh

Date: 1886

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 32.3 x 24.8 cm

Start with Art Questions:  

• Can you describe the skeleton's face and the burning cigarette? How does this painting make you feel?
  
• This artwork is quite unusual compared to other famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh. Why do you think the artist chose to create a painting like this? 

• What do you think Vincent van Gogh might have been trying to express or convey through this painting?

Add our START WITH ART calendar to yours by clicking here then click "add." Share how you're folding this into your daily routine by tagging us on Instagram @pageofarthistory and/or the tag #startwithart 🖼️