Pesta Drar - Theodor Severin Kittelsen

A haunting illustration by Theodor Severin Kittelsen depicting Pesta, the personification of the Black Death, travelling across a rocky Norwegian coastline.

Theodor Severin Kittelsen created this image as part of his series depicting the Black Death in Norway. The figure of Pesta, an elderly woman personifying the plague, carries a rake and a broom. Folklore suggests that if she used the rake, some would survive, but if she used the broom, everyone would perish.

In this composition, Pesta stands upon a rugged, rocky coastline. The scene is rendered in a monochromatic palette, which emphasises the bleakness of the subject. The jagged rocks in the foreground lead the eye toward the solitary figure, who is silhouetted against the horizon. A flock of birds circles above her, adding to the sense of foreboding. Kittelsen uses line work to define the texture of the stone and the heavy folds of the figure's clothing.

Kittelsen is known for his ability to blend naturalistic observation with elements of Norwegian folklore and myth. His work often explores the relationship between the harsh Nordic environment and the supernatural. This particular illustration captures the quiet, inevitable approach of the plague. The composition is balanced, with the vastness of the sea and sky providing a sense of isolation. The lack of colour focuses the viewer on the narrative elements and the stark atmosphere of the scene. This print is a reproduction of the original work, which remains a significant example of Norwegian illustration from the late nineteenth century.