Phacochoerus aethiopicus aethiopicus (Cape warthog) c. 1778

This watercolor drawing by Robert Jacob Gordon from c. 1778 depicts a Cape warthog in its natural habitat, with a mountain range in the background and a tree and a cave in the foreground. The artist, a Dutch military officer and naturalist, meticulously rendered the animal's features, from its bristly coat to its large tusks. This work, part of a series of animal studies, demonstrates Gordon's talent as a scientific illustrator and showcases the beauty and diversity of South African wildlife.