Nectarinia amethystina (Amethyst sunbird) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This is Robert Jacob Gordon's "Nectarinia amethystina (Amethyst sunbird)." Gordon, who was of Dutch and Scottish descent, made this watercolor and graphite drawing in the late 18th century. As a commander of the Dutch East India Company, Gordon occupied a complex position in a colonial context. His depictions of the local flora and fauna are part of a larger historical narrative of exploration, scientific discovery, and colonial expansion. The "Amethyst Sunbird" is carefully rendered, reflecting a scientific interest in cataloging the natural world. But beyond its ornithological value, the image quietly speaks to the dynamics of power, knowledge, and representation inherent in colonial encounters. What does it mean to capture and classify nature through the lens of a European gaze? Consider the emotional distance between the artist and his subject, the bird, and the land it inhabits. It invites us to reflect on the gaze, the ethics of looking, and the complex layers of history embedded in this delicate watercolor.