Pteroclurus bicinctus (Double-banded sandgrouse) c. 1778

Editor: So, this is Robert Jacob Gordon’s *Pteroclurus bicinctus*, a watercolor drawing from around 1778. The detail is incredible. It almost feels like I'm looking at a photograph, but, you know, softer. What symbolic weight do you see in rendering a specific creature like this? Curator: Beyond the obvious zoological illustration, think about the act of documentation in a colonial context. The sandgrouse, rendered with such precise detail, becomes a symbol of the exotic, the “other.” The image, in its scientific precision, simultaneously captures and, in a way, attempts to control the natural world. Doesn’t it remind you of early exploration narratives? Editor: That's a great point, like a visual inventory! What about the bird itself? Are there any common associations connected to sandgrouse that might be relevant? Curator: Interestingly, the sandgrouse is known for its ability to carry water great distances to its young. Doesn’t this connect it with themes of survival and parental devotion? Also, consider the double band marking the species; do you see this duplicity echoed in the composition? Editor: I do now! Maybe the dark and light colouring could represent different parts of the natural world it connects to. Thanks! This has really changed how I see what could have appeared as just a scientific study. Curator: And hopefully illuminated how the image is rich with hidden stories. I'm delighted you found the additional layers so accessible.