Renaissance of the Earth

Geneva Bible (1594)
In the book of Genesis’ account, the universal flood symbolizes a catastrophic disruption of Earth's ecological balance, where water floods the land, wiping out all life forms, except for Noah, his family, and the animals preserved in the ark to repopulate and restore the natural world.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book collection.

Thomas Burnet, The Sacred Theory of the Earth (1684)
Burnet posits that the Earth's original, pristine state was a watery paradise, and that a great flood, driven by the rupture of the Earth's waters, reshaped the planet's surface and led to the current geological and environmental order.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book collection.

Richard Verstegan, A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence (1605)
According to Verstegan, the Tower of Babel—shown on this title page—was not an act of disobedience, but a practical engineering effort by humans to live sustainably in a world vulnerable to flooding.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book collection.

John Worlidge, Systema Agricultura (1681)
In Systema Agricultura, John Worlidge highlights the importance of irrigation as a key agricultural practice for improving crop yields and managing water resources effectively.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book library.

Adam Lonicer, Kreuterbuch (1564)
The Kreuterbuch (which translates to herb book) includes detailed illustrations not only of plants but also of animals, reflecting the interconnectedness of flora and fauna in early modern natural history.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book collection.

William Shakespeare, The Tempest (Second Folio, 1632)
The Tempest’s mysterious island setting operates as a symbol for isolation, transformation, exile, and desolation as water defends and contains island inhabitants.
On loan to the Kinney Center by a generous friend.

Ovid, Metamorphosis (1586)
In Book Four, Ovid describes Cetus as a monstrous sea creature akin to a whale, emphasizing its vast, uncontrollable power as both a force of nature and a test for Perseus’ heroism.
Held in the Kinney Center’s rare book collection