Skull Crowned with Snakes and Flowers Print – Henry Weston Keen, 1910s – Occult Illustration, Memento Mori Poster, Gothic Skull Art, Crown Print, Dark Academia Home Decor #225

This Skull Crowned with Snakes and Flowers Print is a reproduction of a haunting artwork by Henry Weston Keen (1872–1935), a British illustrator renowned for his dramatic black-and-white engravings in the early 20th century. The piece shows a human skull crowned with regal ornament, entwined by serpents, and framed by gothic flowers in bloom and decay.

The image combines the tradition of memento mori art — a reminder of mortality and the impermanence of life — with the occult symbolism of snakes, crowns, and flowers, creating a powerful fusion of death, rebirth, and sovereignty.

Available as a fine art print on hand-made paper for a vintage, antique feel, or on canvas for a bold gallery-style presence. Each piece is delivered unframed, letting you choose a frame to match your gothic, occult, or dark academic interior.

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A Vision of Gothic and Occult Symbolism

Keen’s engraving embodies the interplay of beauty and death, a central theme in both gothic literature and esoteric art. The crown represents sovereignty, authority, and the triumph of spirit; the snakes symbolize knowledge, temptation, and eternal cycles; the flowers mirror the duality of life’s flourishing and inevitable decay.

The skull itself, gazing silently from the shadows, serves as the ultimate symbol of human impermanence, an image that both warns and fascinates.

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What the Artwork Depicts

• The Skull with Crown – a fusion of mortality and royal authority.

• Snakes Twining the Crown – representing wisdom, temptation, and endless cycles of rebirth.

• Flowers in Bloom and Decay – a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life.

• Dark Gothic Composition – bold contrasts and intricate details characteristic of Keen’s engravings.

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Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• Memento Mori – a reminder of death and the transient nature of earthly glory.

• Crown of Power – the paradox of authority fading before time and mortality.

• Snakes – agents of transformation, guardians of hidden knowledge.

• Flowers – embodying both beauty and decay, growth and dissolution.

• Occult Allegory – a visual meditation on the mysteries of life, death, and the eternal.

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Historical and Cultural Context

Henry Weston Keen was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his evocative book illustrations and symbolic engravings. His works often merged romantic gothic imagery with occult and medieval motifs, situating him within the broader fin-de-siècle fascination with death, mysticism, and symbolism.

This engraving reflects the enduring European tradition of vanitas and memento mori art, which sought to remind viewers of mortality while simultaneously celebrating the aesthetic beauty of decay and transformation.

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Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of Henry Weston Keen’s Skull Crowned with Snakes and Flowers.

• A fusion of memento mori, occult, and gothic symbolism.

• Available on hand-made paper or canvas.

• Delivered unframed – style it with your own gothic or antique frame.

• Perfect for collectors of occult art, dark academia, and symbolic illustration.

• A rare piece of early 20th-century gothic illustration blending beauty and death.

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Perfect For

• Enthusiasts of occult, gothic, and symbolic art.

• Collectors of memento mori and vanitas illustrations.

• Admirers of dark academia and antique wall décor.

• Philosophers and seekers inspired by mortality and transformation.

• Unique gifts for lovers of gothic art, esotericism, and symbolism.

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More Than Just a Gothic Illustration

This Skull Crowned with Snakes and Flowers Print by Henry Weston Keen is more than a decorative piece — it is a memento mori for the modern age. Its intricate detail and layered symbolism invite reflection on mortality, beauty, and the eternal cycle of life and death, making it an unforgettable addition to any collection of occult or gothic art.

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Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide