Midnight Crescent - Artist Proof (Paper Edition)

'Midnight Crescent' by contemporary artist Becky Smith brings together two of the artist’s most recognisable motifs; the human skull and the natural world, set against a richly atmospheric celestial backdrop.

A crescent moon sweeps behind the skull, while an abundance of brightly coloured flowers emerges across the composition. Against the deep blues of the surrounding night sky, Smith’s vivid palette creates a striking contrast between darkness and colour, mortality and growth, themes that have become central to her contemporary skull artworks.

The original Midnight Crescent was created live at Wyecliffe Galleries in September 2026. Remarkably, the painting found its collector while Smith was still working on it in the gallery, before the finished artwork had even been revealed.

Following the response to the original, Midnight Crescent has now been released as an exceptionally limited Artist Proof paper edition, with just 25 Artist Proofs available worldwide.

UV-Reactive Hand Embellishment

Printed as a fine art Giclée on Hahnemühle paper, each Artist Proof is individually embellished with Becky's specialised UV-reactive paint.

Under ultraviolet light, hidden fluorescent details emerge from the composition, transforming the artwork and revealing a dramatic second visual experience after dark.

This distinctive use of UV-reactive pigment has become an important part of Smith's practice, allowing her artworks to shift between their daylight appearance and an alternative illuminated state.

Specifications

• Medium: Giclée print on Hahnemühle fine art paper. Embellished with a specialised UV glow-in-the-dark paint.
• Image Area: 55 x 55 cm / 21.65" x 21.65"
  
• Full Paper Size: 61 x 61 cm / 24.01" x 24.01"
• Framed Size: 77 x 76.1 cm / 30.31" x 29.96" 
• Frame Choice: Purchase a slim, matte black or white frame with a white paper mount protected with perspex, or unframed to frame yourself.
• Edition Size: Only 25 Artist Proofs available worldwide.