The Creation of the Fish and the Birds 1565 - 1620

This small etching by Jan Wierix depicts the biblical story of God creating the fish and birds, from the Book of Genesis. God, standing in the center, gestures to the left, where a group of birds flies through the air and a group of aquatic creatures emerge from the water. This small, detailed scene uses hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and texture. Wierix's print demonstrates the Renaissance interest in scientific observation and naturalism, highlighting the detail in the various creatures.