Anthropoides paradisea (Blue crane or Stanley crane) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Here we see a watercolor and pen illustration of an Anthropoides paradisea, or Blue Crane, created by Robert Jacob Gordon. Gordon was a Dutch explorer, military officer, and artist of Scottish descent, active in the late 18th century. His role as commander of the Dutch Cape Colony placed him in a complex position within a colonial context. This image of the Blue Crane offers more than a mere naturalistic depiction. It reflects the cultural and scientific interests of the time, when Europeans were attempting to document and classify the natural world, often through a lens shaped by colonial power dynamics. The crane, with its elegant posture and distinct coloration, stands as a symbol of the exotic "other" encountered by Europeans in Africa. How might the artist's position as a colonial figure have influenced his perception and representation of the natural world? What does it mean to classify and contain nature through art, and how does this relate to broader themes of exploration and exploitation?