Vijfde dag van schepping: God schept vissen en vogels 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn created this engraving, "Fifth Day of Creation: God Creates Fish and Birds," sometime around the early 17th century. The composition is strikingly circular, compressing the biblical narrative into a self-contained cosmos. The artist's use of line, evident in the intricate details of the animals and the swirling waters, suggests a world teeming with vitality. God's commanding gesture mirrors the creative act, as he stands amidst the emerging life forms. What is most intriguing is how the artist uses the circular format to echo the Renaissance's obsession with geometric order, mirroring their impulse to classify and contain the natural world. This work destabilizes a singular, linear interpretation of creation. By framing it within the cyclical form, de Bruyn alludes to the ongoing processes of life. The engraving's function lies not merely in illustrating a biblical event but also in prompting an engagement with broader philosophical questions about existence.