American Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) by John L. Petrie, 1898

The American Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (1898) by John L. Petrie captures the luminous vitality of a live fish at the very height of Victorian natural history illustration. Created for William C. Harris’s landmark color-plate series The Fishes of North America, Petrie’s chromolithograph joins scientific accuracy with painterly subtlety—an approach that defined the late 19th-century fascination with cataloguing the natural world from life. This realistic rendering preserves the fleeting iridescence and delicate patterning that quickly fade after a specimen leaves the water, making the image both a document of record and a celebration of a beloved North American species.

Offered as a museum-quality fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this piece is available on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional framing in gallery-grade materials and tasteful matting to complement the print’s period character. We also offer personalization—such as custom captions or dedication lines—so you can tailor the artwork to your collection, home, or gifting needs.

John L. Petrie was a skilled illustrator working in the era when chromolithography reached its technical zenith. In collaboration with angling authority and editor William C. Harris, Petrie sought to depict fish as they truly appear in life, when color and sheen are most vibrant. His meticulous eye, combined with the nuanced layering of inks unique to chromolithography, produced plates prized by sportsmen, scientists, and art collectors alike.

The subject here—the American brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis—holds a special place in North American natural and sporting history. Native to cold, clear streams and lakes, the brook trout has long been a touchstone for conservationists and anglers, admired for both its beauty and its sensitivity to pristine waters. As a Victorian zoological illustration, this print is more than decorative; it reflects a key moment when art informed science and helped shape public appreciation for freshwater ecosystems.

What makes Petrie’s composition particularly compelling is his command of lifelike coloring and texture. A gentle, buttery-yellow field sets off the fish’s cool green back and the subtle gray notes of its shadowed contours, while fine stippling and precise spotting convey the intricate scale patterning characteristic of the species. Hints of olive, brown, and delicate pinks quietly animate the flank, and smooth, controlled strokes keep the eye on the fish’s streamlined silhouette and flowing fins. The result is a balanced, naturalistic portrait that reads as both study and celebration—ideal for anyone who values craftsmanship, realism, and the storied traditions of angling art.

This timeless print makes a thoughtful gift for anglers, naturalists, and lovers of classic illustration—perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a housewarming for a cabin or lake home. It also suits anyone returning from a fishing trip or travels through North America’s trout country, offering a refined, enduring reminder of waters well-fished and well-loved.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x20in (90x50cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.