Axial Commons Image Treasury
Painted skull in three-quarter profile on a yellow and green brushstroked background.

Skull, 1887 painting by Vincent van Gogh

A painted human skull rests on a grassy ground of yellow and green, shown in three-quarter profile facing right against a golden background. Loose, directional brushstrokes in greys, pinks and greens model the bone, with dark sockets and teeth giving a stark contrast to the warm surroundings.

Artist
Vincent van Gogh
Date
1887
Medium
Source
Wikimedia Commons / Wikidata
Size
2875 × 4000 px
Download full size
Public domain · Vincent van Gogh died 1890 and the work dates by 1887; public domain in the US and life+70 countries.
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier B · as stated by the source: Public domain

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Vincent van Gogh, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from Vanitas and Memento Mori

A witch at her cauldron surrounded by monsters. Etching by Jan van de Velde II, 1626.A witch at her cauldron surrounded by monsters. Etching by Jan van de Velde II, 1626.Skull of a Skeleton with Burning CigaretteSkull of a Skeleton with Burning CigaretteDe heilige HieronymusDe heilige HieronymusLieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later)Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later)The dance of death: the vision of skulls. Coloured aquatint after T. Rowlandson, 1816.The dance of death: the vision of skulls. Coloured aquatint after T. Rowlandson, 1816.A skeleton as a fashionably dressed woman. Engraving attributed to Gerhard Altzenbach, 16--.A skeleton as a fashionably dressed woman. Engraving attributed to Gerhard Altzenbach, 16-