The Plague
Arnold Böcklin · 1898
Why it's great
Death, a skeleton on a winged creature, swoops over a plague-stricken city in this chilling painting. Arnold Böcklin made two versions in 1898, in the years after great epidemics had struck cities across Europe.
🏛️ Part of history
The Black Death (1347–1351) — Death, a skeleton on a winged creature, swoops over a plague-stricken city in this chilling painting.
Where to see it
📍 Kunstmuseum BaselBasel, Switzerland
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Arnold Böcklin was born in Basel, Switzerland, and spent long periods in Italy and Germany. He painted dreamy scenes full of myths, strange creatures and mysterious islands. He is best known for 'Isle of the Dead'. He died near Florence in 1901.
