The Black Death, watercolour map by Munro Scott Orr

What it is

This is a decorative watercolour titled Black Death, made by Munro Scott Orr and held by the Wellcome Collection. It shows a world map in blue and cream at the centre, presenting the history and distribution of the Black Death. Surrounding vignettes show a skeletal angel with wings over Asia, medieval scenes of plague victims and physicians, a bird-masked doctor, rats, and banners reading 'Black' and 'Death' across the top.

Why it matters

The Black Death spread across Eurasia and North Africa between 1346 and 1353. Orr's watercolour is a modern overview that summarises that spread for viewers. It was not made at the time of the pandemic, so it shows how a later artist framed the events. The mix of map and symbolic scenes reminds students that maps can carry arguments as well as facts.

Look closer

• Which parts of the picture show where the plague spread, and which parts are symbols?
• Why might the artist place a skeletal angel over Asia?
• What information about deaths or places is missing from a decorative overview?