“Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle” was painted in 1872 by Arnold Böcklin, the Swiss Symbolist artist renowned for his mysterious, fantastical, and often haunting imagery. The artwork depicts Böcklin himself seated in his studio while a skeletal figure representing Death stands directly behind him, playing the fiddle at his ear.

The composition is admired for its dark symbolism and unsettling intimacy. Böcklin appears absorbed in his work, seemingly unaware of—or deliberately ignoring—the presence of Death behind him. The eerie figure transforms an otherwise ordinary self-portrait into a powerful meditation on mortality, reminding the viewer that death is always present, even in the midst of creative life.

Through its theatrical composition and macabre symbolism, the painting explores the fragile relationship between life, art, and mortality. Böcklin’s decision to place Death so intimately beside himself gives the work a deeply personal quality, while its haunting imagery has made it one of the most memorable Symbolist self-portraits.

This museum-quality print is a perfect choice for admirers of Symbolism, dark romanticism, and thought-provoking classical art.

• Paper: 250gsm matte, FSC certified
• Type: Premium museum-quality print
• Sizes: 20x25 cm (8x10”), 30x40 cm (12x16”), 45x60 cm (18x24”), 60x80 cm (24x32”)
• Printed in the US and EU.