Raphicerus melanotis (Cape grysbok) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon captured this image of Raphicerus melanotis, or Cape grysbok, in a delicate wash drawing. The most striking element is the tree centrally placed between the two animals, an ancient symbol of life, growth, and connection between earth and sky. Consider how the ‘arbor vitae,’ or tree of life, appears throughout cultures—from the Norse Yggdrasil, connecting the nine worlds, to the biblical tree of knowledge. Notice how, in contrast to these monumental trees, the tree in Gordon’s image is diminutive, almost fragile, reflecting perhaps a subconscious anxiety about the vulnerability of nature in the face of exploration and colonization. The grysbok, alert and poised, flank either side of the tree. We see similar animal depictions across time and cultures, from heraldic emblems to ancient Egyptian deities. The watchful gaze of these creatures evokes a deep psychological resonance, tapping into our primal instincts of vigilance and awareness. Thus, the drawing reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things, and the cyclical nature of symbols, echoing through time.