The Creation of Animals

published 1673

William Faithorne

Associated Names
William Faithorne

Artist, English, 1616 - 1691

This drawing depicts a scene combining celestial and terrestrial elements. The image features a sky with a sun, moon, stars, clouds, and a face emitting wind. Below the sky are rolling hills, a building resembling a church or castle, and a figure in ornate attire gesturing towards various animals including a deer, elephant, crocodile, and birds. The scene implies a connection to nature or the animal kingdom. The image also includes astrological symbols and lightning bolts, suggesting themes of cosmic significance and natural philosophy. The text "HISTORIA NATVRÆ" is present at the bottom border.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 15.7 × 9.6 cm (6 3/16 × 3 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1951.11.733

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Fagan 1888, no. 78


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891 - 1979], Philadelphia, (L.1932d); gift to NGA, 1951.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1888

  • Fagan, Louis. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Engraved Works of William Faithorne. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1888.

Wikidata ID

Q65368606

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