Ardea cincrea (Grey heron) 1777 - 1786

"Ardea cincrea (Grey heron)" is a watercolor painting by Robert Jacob Gordon, a renowned 18th-century artist, depicting a grey heron in its natural habitat. This detailed illustration, created between 1777 and 1786, showcases Gordon's meticulous attention to detail, capturing the bird's plumage, posture, and environment with precision. The painting's scientific accuracy and artistic beauty make it a valuable example of natural history illustration from the Enlightenment era.