Chaos, or the Origin of the World

Before the world takes shape, its elements and constellations collide. The book describes water, fire, earth, smoke and winds mingling in immense darkness; the zodiac has deliberately lost its order. Aquarius drenches Leo, Sagittarius aims at Gemini, and stars cling to rocks or disappear into flame and water. These details make the engraving a carefully constructed vision of disorder.

The commentary contrasts ancient creation stories with its author's Christian account of creation, while admiring the artist's freedom of invention. A note identifies the name of Abraham van Diepenbeeck within the composition. That is evidence for this design's attribution, rather than a reason to assign every plate in the volume to the same artist.

Historical context is adapted from the accompanying commentary by Antoine de La Barre de Beaumarchais. Its interpretations reflect the period in which the book was published.

This edition follows plate 1 in Le Temple des Muses. The complete historical page and its explanatory text remain available in the source record. Source attribution: Bernard Picart and other engravers, Le Temple des Muses (1749 edition). Museum date: 1749 (publication). Source medium: Engraving, inner pictorial scene. Source portfolio: Le Temple des Muses, plate 1.

The inner illustration has been straightened and extracted from its surrounding engraved frame, caption and paper. The comparison shows that extracted engraving beside Surrealium's contemporary colour interpretation.

Surrealium's contemporary AI-assisted colour interpretation takes this print as its starting point. The colours are interpretive choices made for this edition.

Compare the museum original with the Surrealium edition, then order the finished work as a fine-art print or canvas. No subscription is required to purchase. Customisation is available to active Fable subscribers.