Artist: Sublimelancolia
Title: Black Henbane
Medium: Pen and ink on paper
Size: 297 × 420 mm (A3)
Unframed
"Beautiful, medicinal, or deadly depending on the dose, such are plants. I’ve always admired their folklore and history, especially when tied to witchcraft. It was only a matter of time before I illustrated one, but I found myself in a dilemma of choices.
With the witchcraft theme in mind, I consulted tarot and used a pendulum, both intuitive tool, to guide me toward the plant that would become the pillar of the composition. I was led to black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), which carries significant symbolic weight in the history of witchcraft, alongside its “sisters” belladonna and mandrake.
The piece was created traditionally with pen and ink, and every element in it is based on historical research. At the center of the composition is a female hand holding a bone container. This element was inspired by an archaeological discovery made in the Netherlands in 2017, when black henbane seeds were found inside a goat or sheep bone roughly two thousand years old. Instead of depicting the seeds, I chose to place the plant itself inside the container, emanating a dark energy channeled through the witch’s hand.
The smoke surrounding the illustration references the ritual use of the plant at the Oracle of Delphi, where substances associated with henbane were inhaled. From this smoke emerges the figure of a witch riding a broom, alluding to medieval and early modern beliefs that linked henbane to the so‑called witches’ ointments, supposedly capable of inducing the sensation of flight."
Ships from Brazil
Kindly note that shipping is determined after purchase, since rates depend on your location, the piece’s weight, and any combined shipments. You will receive a separate PayPal invoice for the shipping cost. If you’d like an estimate before completing your purchase, you’re welcome to reach out via [email protected] or through the contact form on our website.
