Dromaius novaehollandiae (Emu) 1770 - 1780

This watercolour of an emu is by George Raper. Here, the composition centres on the emu, presented in profile with an emphasis on its height, accentuated by the scale alongside it. Raper meticulously renders the emu's features using delicate brushstrokes to capture the texture of its plumage. The palette is subdued, dominated by earthy tones that ground the figure in its habitat. The stark, white backdrop creates a minimalist setting which allows the emu to command visual attention. What is interesting is how the inclusion of the scale invites us to consider the painting through a lens that combines art with scientific observation. The emu is presented not just as an object of aesthetic appreciation but as a subject of empirical measurement, reflecting broader Enlightenment values where the natural world was subject to systematic scrutiny. This approach challenges fixed notions of how nature is represented in art.