Otocyon megalotis (Bat-eared fox; female) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon made this watercolor drawing of an Otocyon megalotis, or bat-eared fox, in the late 18th century. The fox is carefully placed in the center of the composition, its elongated ears drawing our eyes upward. The neutral tones of the fox contrast subtly with the muted green of the grassy mound it stands upon, creating a visual harmony. Gordon’s focus here isn't just on depicting the animal; it's about understanding and classifying the natural world. Consider how the drawing is supplemented with precise notations and measurements. These texts suggest Gordon’s attempt to capture not just the likeness of the animal, but also its essence within a broader scientific context. Notice the flatness of the landscape, and how the fox seems almost superimposed on it. This technique flattens depth and invites us to contemplate the fox as a specimen, studied and categorized. The drawing then, becomes a site where art, science, and colonial observation intersect. It reminds us that even seemingly objective depictions are embedded within cultural frameworks.