Liza richardsonii (South African mullet) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon made this watercolor drawing of a Liza richardsonii, or South African mullet, in the late 18th century. Look closely, and you'll see how the artist used watercolor washes to mimic the way light reflects off the fish's scales. It's a delicate, precise process, requiring careful control of the brush and the consistency of the paint. Note the ruled line underneath the fish indicating its length, with the inscription 'Rijnlands Maat.' This suggests that the artist was interested in the fish not just as a beautiful object, but as a specimen, something to be measured and classified. The inscription in Dutch below, notes that the locals used this fish to make 'kunne haring', or artificial herring. It offers us a glimpse into the social context of the artwork: people making do, substituting one resource for another. Ultimately, the artwork reminds us that even the most seemingly straightforward images are shaped by the materials, processes, and social conditions that bring them into being.