Bitis atropos (Berg adder) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Editor: So, here we have *Bitis atropos*, the Berg adder, a watercolor and drawing possibly created between 1777 and 1786 by Robert Jacob Gordon. It has such a clinical feel; almost like a scientific illustration. How do you read a piece like this? Curator: Well, given Gordon's background as a military commander for the Dutch East India Company, it's interesting to consider this drawing within the context of colonial exploration and documentation. He isn't just passively recording the natural world. What kind of power dynamics do you think are at play when European explorers depict indigenous flora and fauna? Editor: That’s a great question. The act of naming and classifying inherently implies a kind of control, doesn't it? Was there much interest in natural history at that time? Curator: Absolutely! The late 18th century saw a surge of interest in natural history, driven in part by Enlightenment ideals and colonial expansion. Collectors and museums were eager to acquire specimens and knowledge from around the globe. Gordon’s detailed rendering speaks to that scientific ambition, but it's filtered through a colonial lens, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: It certainly adds another layer to it, seeing it not just as a simple representation of nature, but as part of a bigger colonial project, influencing perception in Europe at the time. It is thought-provoking. Curator: Precisely. By displaying nature, Europe also displayed their control over different geographies. That makes these beautiful drawings a little more…political, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. It completely changes the way I look at it!