Falco tinnunculus (Common kestrel) Possibly 1778

Robert Jacob Gordon's "Falco tinnunculus (Common kestrel)" is a detailed watercolor painting of a kestrel perched on a branch. The artist, a Dutch-born military officer and naturalist, created this work around 1778. Gordon meticulously rendered the bird's feathers, highlighting its intricate patterns and colors, and included precise measurements of the kestrel in the inscription. This drawing exemplifies Gordon's passion for natural history and his skill as a scientific illustrator. His work offers a glimpse into the early stages of ornithological illustration and the growing interest in studying and documenting the natural world during the 18th century.