Nectarinia famosa (Malachite sunbird) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This is Robert Jacob Gordon’s ‘Nectarinia famosa (Malachite sunbird)’. Gordon, a Dutch explorer and military officer, rendered this watercolor and graphite drawing. The late 18th century was a time when the natural world was being cataloged, often through the lens of European exploration and scientific ambition. Gordon's depiction of the Malachite sunbird, with its iridescent plumage, reflects a moment of colonial encounter and the drive to classify and possess knowledge of the natural world. The act of drawing itself becomes a form of claiming, of fixing the bird within a European framework. Consider how the scientific gaze intersects with the aesthetic appreciation of the bird's beauty. Gordon's work serves as a reminder of how these historical images continue to shape our understanding of identity, and the natural world.