Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah) Possibly 1777 - 1786

"Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah)" is a 18th-century watercolor illustration of a cheetah by Robert Jacob Gordon, a renowned Scottish military officer and naturalist. Created between 1777 and 1786, the artwork depicts the cheetah in a natural setting, standing on a grassy knoll with a distant landscape behind it. The meticulous detail of the animal's spotted coat and the subtle shading of the background demonstrate Gordon's keen observation and artistic skill, highlighting his contributions to both scientific illustration and artistic representation of the natural world. Gordon's depiction of the cheetah captured the attention of his contemporaries and serves as a valuable historical document for understanding the species and its portrayal in 18th-century art.