In this exquisite watercolor composition, the artist captures the seminal moment when the Nile River, the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, undergoes a miraculous transformation into a river of blood. This arresting tableau serves as a visual chronicle of the First Plague, unleashed in response to Pharaoh's intransigent refusal to liberate the Hebrew people from the yoke of slavery.

The canvas is dominated by a vivid, almost surreal, shade of red that engulfs the Nile, creating a stark contrast with the otherwise subdued tones of the landscape. This chromatic choice serves not merely as an aesthetic element but as a potent symbol, emphasizing the gravity and supernatural origin of the plague that has befallen the land.

In the foreground, a group of Egyptian onlookers stands aghast, their faces etched with a mixture of disbelief and dread. They serve as a human testament to the collective shock rippling through a society witnessing its foundational elements being shaken to the core.

Yet, in the background, the pyramids remain unyielding and majestic, their enduring presence serving as a foreshadowing element. They stand as silent sentinels to the unfolding drama, subtly hinting that the river's transformation is but a prelude to a series of divine interventions that will continue to test the resilience and moral fiber of the Egyptian civilization.

In summary, this watercolor painting is a masterful blend of technical skill and emotional depth, capturing a pivotal biblical event with a level of nuance that invites viewers to contemplate the complex interplay between human agency and divine retribution.