And God said Let the waters generate Reptile with spawn abundant living soul And let fowl Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a dramatic scene unfolding within a turbulent aquatic environment. A colossal serpentine creature dominates the foreground, its scaled body partially submerged in churning waters. The form is complex and detailed, exhibiting features that blend reptilian and avian characteristics – suggesting a primordial being embodying both terrestrial and aerial qualities. Its posture conveys a sense of powerful emergence, as if it has just risen from the depths.
Above this central figure, a flock of birds fills the upper portion of the composition. They are depicted in dense formation, their wings spread against a backdrop of dramatic cloud formations pierced by shafts of light. This celestial illumination emphasizes the divine origin implied within the accompanying text – And God said…let fowl. The contrast between the dark, chaotic waters and the bright, ordered sky reinforces this sense of creation emerging from primordial disorder.
The artist employs a meticulous hatching technique to render textures and volumes with considerable detail. The water’s surface is rendered through dynamic lines that convey movement and foam, while the creatures scales are meticulously etched to suggest both hardness and organic complexity. The rocky outcrop on the left provides a grounding element within the scene, anchoring the composition and suggesting a landscape beyond the immediate aquatic realm.
Subtly placed smaller creatures – what appear to be fish or other marine life – populate the water around the central serpent, further emphasizing the abundance of life generated by this divine command. The overall effect is one of awe-inspiring power and creation, conveying a sense of both wonder and potential danger inherent in the nascent world. The drawing’s monochromatic palette contributes to its solemnity and reinforces the impression of an ancient, almost mythic event.