Plaag van de duisternis 1645 - 1646

"Plaag van de duisternis" (Plague of Darkness) is a 17th-century engraving by Christoffel van (II) Sichem. Created between 1645 and 1646, the artwork depicts a scene of plague and pestilence, with a figure in the foreground raising a hand in supplication, while two figures in the background, possibly representing Death and the Plague, approach with menacing expressions. The engraving's stark contrast of light and dark, and its portrayal of the terror of the plague, contribute to a dramatic and powerful image that resonated with audiences in the midst of the plague's devastating impact on Europe. This piece is part of the Rijksmuseum collection.