The Magic Eye of Anna Eriksdotter (Sotpackan)

Original illustration

Nib and ink on Arches cotton paper

300gsm / 140lb

12x9.5cm / 4.8x3.8in (picture size)

20x14cm / 8x5.5in (frame size)

2021

Housed in a beautiful Victorian ornate brass frame

Original convex antique glass

__________________________________________________

About:

Anna Eriksdotter or Anna Ersdotter (1624 – 15 June 1704), called Sotpackan (English: soot-witch), was a Swedish woman accused of being a witch. She was the last person executed for sorcery in Sweden

She was widely rumored to be a witch for decades before she was put on trial. She was originally from Bollnäs and moved to the village of Skomakarbacken, Lista with her husband, who was a soldier, in about 1680.

Her claimed ability to heal blood-wounds and her unusual good hand with animals gave her the nickname 'Sotpackan' and caused gossip that she had a pact with Satan. She was for a period a servant of the village vicar, but he fired her when he heard of the gossip.

One morning when the vicar was going to the church to give a sermon, seeds were planted on the road to the church, and when he got there, he was allegedly unable to speak.