lcelaphus buselaphus caama (Hartebeest) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This watercolor drawing by Robert Jacob Gordon, a military officer and naturalist, depicts a hartebeest, a large African antelope. The drawing, likely created between 1777 and 1786, is a detailed and precise scientific illustration. Gordon’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the accurate portrayal of the animal’s anatomy and markings. Accompanying the illustration are handwritten notes in Dutch, meticulously documenting the hartebeest's measurements and physical characteristics, revealing Gordon's dedication to scientific observation and the importance of accurate documentation in natural history.