Ixia odorata Ker. Gawl. Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon created this watercolor drawing of an Ixia odorata, or fragrant African corn lily, sometime before his death in 1795. Gordon was a Dutch military officer and explorer of Scottish descent, who spent much of his life in South Africa in service of the Dutch East India Company. Gordon's position gave him the means to travel and document the natural environment and indigenous people of the Cape Colony. But it is crucial to remember that this documentation occurred within the framework of colonial expansion, impacting how we interpret his work today. Gordon's botanical illustrations, while scientifically valuable, also reflect the colonial project's interest in cataloging and exploiting natural resources. Consider the emotional weight of viewing such a delicate rendering, knowing it was produced in a context of displacement and exploitation. Does the beauty of the flower transcend the circumstances of its depiction, or does it forever bear the mark of its colonial origins? This image invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between art, science, and the legacies of colonialism.