Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle by Arnold Böcklin

Art print of a hand-painted study after Arnold Böcklin, by Riya Kumari

After Arnold Böcklin, Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, 1872 Artists have always been fascinated with painting themselves with a memento mori. Böcklin painted this self-portrait in 1872 which shows the artist pausing in the middle of his work and Death is playing the fiddle, almost directly in his ear. The story goes that Böcklin painted the figure of death in response to friends asking what he seemed to be listening to. This is a study of the painting.

About the painting

Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, Arnold Böcklin, 1872

Artist
Arnold Böcklin
Year
1872
Medium
Oil on canvas
Size
75 × 61 cm (29.5 × 24 in)
Where it hangs
Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin

What does the painting mean?

It is a memento mori, a reminder that life is short. Böcklin, then 45, paints himself at work with his brush and palette, and pauses to listen: behind his shoulder a skeleton plays a fiddle, almost in his ear. Death is close, and the painter carries on working.

Where is the original?

In the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin. It is oil on canvas, 75 × 61 cm. Lovis Corinth answered it in 1896 with his own Self-Portrait with Skeleton.

A4 print

Size
A4, 8.3 x 11.7 in (21 x 29.7 cm)
Medium
Archival Giclée print on Hahnemühle German Etching (310 gsm) paper
Framing
Unframed
Certificate
Certificate of authenticity included

A5 print, A4 frame

Size
A5, 5.8 x 8.3 in (14.8 x 21 cm)
Medium
Archival Giclée print on Hahnemühle German Etching (310 gsm) paper
Framing
Matted frame, 9 x 12.5 in
Certificate
Certificate of authenticity included

A4 print, A3 frame

Size
A4, 8.3 x 11.7 in (21 x 29.7 cm)
Medium
Archival Giclée print on Hahnemühle German Etching (310 gsm) paper
Framing
Matted frame, 13 x 17 in
Certificate
Certificate of authenticity included
Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, art print after Arnold Böcklin by Riya Kumari Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, art print after Arnold Böcklin by Riya Kumari, framed beside a bed Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, art print after Arnold Böcklin by Riya Kumari, framed above a desk Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, art print after Arnold Böcklin by Riya Kumari, framed above a hotel bed, with two other prints

More from Riya

All prints · Vintage art prints · What is a giclée print? · Art for the living room · More from Things & Pieces