Genetta tigrina (Cape genet) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This watercolor depicts a "Genetta tigrina", also known as a Cape Genet, a small African carnivore. The artwork was created by Robert Jacob Gordon, an 18th-century Dutch military officer and naturalist known for his detailed drawings of South African flora and fauna. The artwork showcases Gordon's meticulous observation of the animal, showcasing its distinctive spotted coat and long, striped tail. The piece was likely created during his time in the Cape Colony between 1777 and 1786.