Apaloderma narina (Narina trogon) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This is Robert Jacob Gordon’s rendering of an Apaloderma narina, or Narina trogon. Gordon was a Dutch explorer, military officer, and artist of Scottish descent, active in the late 18th century. As an explorer charting the Cape of Good Hope, Gordon's identity was complex. He was both an agent of colonial expansion and a keen observer of the natural world. During this period, the natural world was often viewed through a colonial lens. European explorers and scientists sought to classify and control nature. Look closely at the Narina trogon. What do you notice about the way it's represented? The bird is delicately rendered, perched on a branch, seemingly frozen in time. Is it an objective study of nature, or does it reflect Gordon's own perspective and the values of his time? This image prompts us to reflect on how knowledge about the natural world is produced and whose perspectives are privileged in that process.