Plague on The Stairs | Theodor Kittelsen | 1896 14th Century Bathed in a cool

Bathed in a cool

The background is dark and somber

flanked by bare trees and simple outbuildings

rendered with jewel-like detail and intricate ornamentation

This work is noted for its intricate detail

Plague on The Stairs | Theodor Kittelsen | 1896 14th Century Bathed in a cool"Pesta p trappen" (Plague on the Stairs), an illustration by Theodor Kittelsen from around 1896. It depicts Pesta, the personification of the plague in Norwegian folklore, appearing as an old woman in a dark robe, peering ominously from a stairwell. This artwork captures the bleak and somber tone associated with the devastating impact of the plague. The dark tones and shadowy contrasts are hallmarks of Kittelsen's work, reflecting the fear and