Euphorbia bupleurifolia Jacq. Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon made this botanical illustration of Euphorbia bupleurifolia with watercolor and pencil. These are traditional art materials, but botanical illustration sits in an ambivalent position between art and science. Note the precision of the watercolor, building up thin washes of color to create depth and shadow. The hand of the artist is essential in the rendering of details, creating a visual record, and the artist's skill is evident in their ability to capture the likeness of the plant. Botanical art developed in tandem with colonial exploration; naturalists and artists were often embedded in expeditions. Botanical illustration became the visual language that helped to classify species. As you look at this image, consider the artist's role in mediating our understanding of the natural world.