Ixia viridiflora Larn. (Turqoise ixia) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon made this watercolor drawing of Ixia viridiflora, or Turquoise Ixia, sometime before his death in 1795. Gordon was a Dutch explorer, soldier, and naturalist, and his work reflects the context of scientific exploration during the Enlightenment. During this time, the Dutch East India Company had a significant presence in South Africa, where this particular species of Ixia is native. Gordon's botanical illustrations served a dual purpose. They documented the natural world for scientific study and showcased the exotic flora of the Cape Colony to a European audience. The precise detail and delicate rendering of the plant reflect the values of scientific observation, while the aesthetic choices in composition and color speak to the cultural norms of botanical illustration. The drawing's existence today owes to the efforts of art historians, botanists, and other researchers, who piece together the fragments of the past to give us a fuller understanding of the complex relationship between science, art, and colonialism.