Cyrtanthus elatus (Jacq.) Traub (Flowering valotta; Fire lily; George lily) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon captured this image of the Cyrtanthus elatus, or Fire Lily as it is more commonly known, in watercolor wash, and graphite sometime before his death in 1795. Gordon was a Dutch explorer, military officer, and naturalist of Scottish descent, who commanded the Dutch garrison at Cape Town. Gordon's position afforded him the opportunity to explore and document the flora and fauna of Southern Africa. But his work occurred against the backdrop of Dutch colonialism, reminding us that scientific exploration was deeply entwined with imperial expansion and often relied on the exploitation and displacement of indigenous populations. Consider the power dynamics inherent in Gordon's encounters with the land and its people. How might his role as a colonizer have shaped his perception and representation of the natural world? This vibrant depiction of the Fire Lily asks us to consider the complex relationship between botanical illustration, colonial history, and ecological awareness.