Agama hispida (Southern spiny agama) Possibly 1778

Here we see "Agama hispida" or the Southern spiny agama as rendered in ink and watercolour by Robert Jacob Gordon on December 17th 1778. The composition of the image creates a study in contrasts, in which the reptile is set against a pale background, highlighting its form through the use of line and colour. The creature's spiky texture contrasts with the smooth surface upon which it treads. Gordon seems to have been particularly interested in the Agama's scales, rendering them with dark ink, which gives the creature a three-dimensional presence on the page. Consider how Gordon uses the principles of visual representation to capture the essence and character of his subject. It is through line, colour and form that the viewer can engage with the natural world, mediated by the artist's hand. Ultimately, the function of this artwork is to offer a reflection on the nature of seeing and knowing, and to consider how visual representation shapes our understanding of the world around us.