Gladiolus caryphyllaceus (Burm,f.) Poir. Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon created this watercolor painting of a Gladiolus caryphyllaceus, likely during his time as commander of the Dutch garrison in Cape Town, South Africa, between 1780 and 1795. The painting is a study of botanical specimens and part of a larger colonial project of documenting and classifying the natural world. What does it mean for the colonizer to depict the colonized world? We can read the image as more than just botanical illustration; it is also a statement about power and the act of claiming knowledge. Consider the emotional weight of these depictions. The detailed rendering reflects a desire to control and understand the natural world through a Western lens. As you look, consider the complex layers of history, science, and power interwoven in this delicate portrayal of a flower.