Canis mesomelas (Black-backed jackal; male) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Editor: This is "Canis mesomelas," a watercolor and ink drawing of a Black-backed jackal by Robert Jacob Gordon, likely created between 1777 and 1786. There's a somewhat naive quality to the rendering, especially in the jackal’s proportions. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The beauty resides in the linearity. Consider how Gordon employed ink to delineate the jackal’s form, focusing not on photographic realism, but on essential outlines. Note the rhythmic repetition of short strokes defining the dorsal region, contrasting with the smooth washes of color. Editor: Yes, the texture is interesting. It’s almost like he’s using color to fill in pre-existing lines. Curator: Precisely. The washes of watercolor are subservient to the dominance of line, a feature of preparatory scientific illustrations where clarity of form trumps atmospheric depth. Examine the lower script. Do you perceive how its horizontal emphasis establishes a structured plane? Editor: You’re right, it anchors the image and highlights its constructed nature as an artifact of observation. Is that a ladder in the right-hand corner, by the way? Curator: An important visual detail which re-emphasises scientific intention. But is this artistic, scientific or both? Does the interplay between the natural and the symbolic hold particular significance? These visual dialogues give structure and deeper reading. Editor: It’s interesting how focusing on the visual elements can reveal so much about its function and, potentially, the artist’s intent. Curator: Indeed. It is within the structure, the medium, and the relationship between image and added notes, that its full complexity arises.