The First Day (Dies I): The Separation of Darkness and Light, plate 1 from The Creation of the World, a series of seven plates 1589

Jan Muller created this engraving, "The First Day," around the turn of the 17th century, a period marked by the intersection of religious fervor and burgeoning scientific inquiry. Here, Muller visualizes the biblical creation narrative, specifically the separation of light from darkness, a theme resonant with the era's grappling with knowledge and faith. Notice the figure on the left, bathed in light, contrasted with the obscured figure on the right enveloped in shadow, a stark representation of duality. Muller, working within a society that was deeply religious, was also privy to the changing intellectual landscape influenced by early scientific revolution. Consider the implications of depicting creation through a lens that balances divine will with emerging understandings of the natural world. Muller invites us to reflect on the emotional and intellectual tensions inherent in reconciling faith with the pursuit of knowledge, a dialogue that continues to shape our understanding of existence today.