The Creation of Animals

William Faithorne

National Gallery of Art

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.