Rostratula benghalensis (Greater painted-snipe) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon depicted Rostratula benghalensis, or Greater painted-snipe in watercolor and graphite. Gordon, a Dutch explorer, military officer, and naturalist, created this image during a period of intense colonial expansion and scientific exploration. Ornithological illustrations like this one were part of a broader effort to document and classify the natural world, often reflecting European colonial interests. While seemingly objective, these depictions were shaped by the perspectives and biases of the colonizers, impacting the representation and understanding of the environments and their inhabitants. Consider how gender roles are subtly challenged here as the female painted-snipe is more vibrant than the male. It prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the act of observation and representation and invites questions about whose perspectives are privileged in the construction of knowledge.