Tauraco corythaix (Knysna turaco or Knysna lourie) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon, a Dutch military officer and artist, created this watercolor painting of a Knysna turaco, a bird native to South Africa, sometime between 1777 and 1786. The bird is depicted perched on a rock, with a small tree in the background, and it’s detailed feathers and striking colors are evident in the artwork. This naturalistic depiction is typical of Gordon’s work, which often documented the flora and fauna of the Cape of Good Hope. This piece, with its meticulous attention to detail, is an important contribution to the understanding of South African ornithology.