Onychognathus morio (Red-winged starling)

Robert Jacob Gordon created this image of an Onychognathus morio, or Red-winged starling, in the late 18th century using pen, ink, and watercolor. The artist has used these relatively simple materials to create a highly detailed image of the bird and its surroundings, carefully rendering the starling's dark plumage and the texture of the tree branch. The transparent washes of watercolor are particularly effective in capturing the light and atmosphere of the South African landscape. This image is typical of the kind of scientific illustration produced during the Age of Exploration, reflecting a growing interest in natural history. But it also reminds us of the labor involved in producing such images. Artists like Gordon often accompanied explorers on their voyages, meticulously documenting the flora and fauna they encountered. The resulting images were not only beautiful works of art but also valuable sources of scientific knowledge, contributing to the development of European understanding, and exploitation, of the wider world. Thinking about the making and the context of such artworks helps us to understand their full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between art, craft, and scientific documentation.