The Raven and the Plague

Abstract The seventeenth-century broadsides of plague doctors donning masks in the shape of a bird’s bill have long intrigued historians. As there is no solid support from reliable sources for the use of such attire, it may be concluded that these images are largely satirical or emblematic. One aspect crucial to understanding their symbolism is the association between the raven and the plague. This is particularly meaningful given that the plague doctor originated in Rome, during an era that was marked by religious disputes. The German publisher Paulus Fürst, whose Doctor Schnabel (1656) may be regarded as the ‘quintessential’ plague doctor, came from a thoroughly Protestant background. When subjected to an iconological investigation, his print reveals a strong anti-Catholic message. A better understanding of the emblematic content of this print can contribute to a more cautious approach to the historicity of the depicted protective equipment among historians.