Procavia capensis (Rock hyrax or dassie) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon produced this image of a Rock Hyrax, also known as a Dassie, using pen and ink and watercolor wash. Gordon's image is part of a centuries-long tradition of naturalistic illustration. While seemingly objective, these images were often made in the service of colonial enterprises – attempts to catalogue and ultimately control natural resources. Gordon was a Dutch explorer, soldier and naturalist, of Scottish descent, best known for his travels in southern Africa. Consider the labor involved in creating this image. From the production of paper and pigments to the skilled hand of the artist, the image embodies a whole network of processes and skills. It represents a moment in the history of scientific exploration, where art and science were closely intertwined. Paying attention to the materials and the making of this image allows us to appreciate its cultural significance, and the complex relationship between art, science, and colonialism.