Promerops cafer (Cape sugarbird) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon's watercolor "Promerops cafer (Cape sugarbird)" (1777-1786) depicts a bird perched on a tree branch. Gordon was a Dutch military officer and amateur naturalist who documented the flora and fauna of the Cape of Good Hope. This intricate drawing exemplifies the meticulous detail and scientific accuracy characteristic of 18th-century natural history illustrations. Gordon's work contributed significantly to the understanding and appreciation of South African biodiversity.