Secondary sourcePainting1901
Pesta Plate 2 from Svartedauen
Theodor Kittelsen · 1901
A dark drawing by Theodor Kittelsen from his 1901 book 'Svartedauen' (The Black Death), showing a large black bird flying over a misty landscape.
A symbolic 1901 image of the Black Death's spread through the landscape, reflecting later cultural memory of the pandemic.
About this source
What it is
This plate comes from Svartedauen (The Black Death), a 1901 illustrated book by Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen. It shows a large black bird with spread wings flying over a misty landscape of pine trees with a faint glow on the horizon.
Why it matters
Kittelsen's book reflects how the memory of the Black Death lived on in Norwegian folklore centuries after the pandemic struck Europe. Birds and shadowy figures became symbols of death and disease spreading across the land, showing how art can carry historical fear forward through generations.
Look closer
- Why might a bird be used as a symbol in this scene?
- What feeling does the misty, dark landscape create?
- How does this image differ from a scientific record of disease?
This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of The Black Death on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More The Black Death sources
Meet the AI The Black Death →Secondary source
The Decameron
Giovanni Boccaccio · 1351
Primary source
Statute of Labourers 1351
1351
PaintingPrimary source
Depiction of the Flagellant Processions
Pierart dou Tielt · c. 1350
PaintingPrimary source
Execution of Jews
c. 1350
BookPrimary source
The Annals of Ireland by Friar John Clyn
John Clyn · 1348-1349
Ready when you are
Start chatting with The Black Death now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.