*** About "Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette"

***: Created during a period marked by profound personal and artistic exploration for Van Gogh, this painting is emblematic of his early explorations in emotional depth and technique. It is speculated that the work may have been a humorous comment on conservative academic practices, or perhaps a more personal meditation on mortality and the temporality of existence. Van Gogh's style here is raw and straightforward, bearing the expressive lines and emotional intensity that would later become hallmarks of his mature works. The artwork currently resides in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist's complex psyche during his formative years.