Lanius collaris (Southern fiscal or Fiscal shrike) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon made this study of a Fiscal shrike using pen and ink and watercolor wash. These materials, common for naturalists at the time, allowed for both precise detail and subtle shading. The drawing's effectiveness comes from Gordon's close observation and skillful rendering. Look closely, and you'll see the meticulous layering of washes to depict the bird's plumage, and the delicate linework that defines its form. These processes are not unlike those of a craftsman, building up detail and texture through careful, repetitive actions. But this image also speaks to the history of colonialism. Gordon, a military commander in the Dutch East India Company, used his artistic skills to document the natural world of South Africa. While seemingly objective, his drawings were instrumental to European expansion, providing a visual inventory of resources and asserting a claim over the land. So, what appears as a simple bird study is actually embedded within broader social and political structures. Understanding the making of this image encourages us to consider the relationship between art, science, and the exercise of power.