California Redfish (Pimelometopon pulcher) by John L. Petrie, 1898

The California Redfish or Fat-head, Pimelometopon pulcher (1898) by John L. Petrie is a quintessential Victorian zoological illustration—at once precise, observant, and quietly dramatic. Created for William C. Harris’s celebrated natural history project The Fishes of North America, this chromolithograph reflects the late 19th century’s union of science and art. Petrie worked directly from fresh specimens so that iridescence, patterning, and the subtle sheen of living color could be recorded before they faded, resulting in an image that balances anatomical fidelity with painterly nuance.

Offered here as a premium fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this piece is available on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional framing to arrive ready to hang. We also offer personalization—such as a discreet title plate or dedication—and custom sizing upon request to make your print uniquely yours.

John L. Petrie was a specialist in natural history illustration at a time when accurate images were vital to scientific communication and public education. His work for The Fishes of North America stands out for its clarity and elegance: each plate conveys specific structural details while remaining visually engaging for non-specialists. Petrie’s skill lies in marrying empirical accuracy with a refined sense of composition, resulting in illustrations that read as both field notes and fine art.

The subject—known in the period as the California redfish or fat-head (Pimelometopon pulcher)—embodies the era’s fascination with cataloging North American wildlife. Produced in 1898 through sophisticated multi-stone chromolithography, the print captures a species-level portrait that would have appealed to scientists, anglers, and the growing audience for popular natural history. It is a document of the time’s intellectual curiosity and its belief that beauty and knowledge could coexist on the printed page.

Color and design are central to the plate’s enduring appeal. A restrained palette of green, yellow, and brown evokes the aquatic environment, while carefully modulated transitions along the body create volume and lifelike presence. Minute patterning—spots and speckling characteristic of the species—is rendered with disciplined control, and the finely defined fins and eye reveal Petrie’s meticulous observation. The result is a quietly luminous image that suits coastal, nautical, and nature-inspired interiors, as well as refined studies, libraries, and gallery walls.

Whether you’re a marine-life enthusiast, a collector of Victorian natural history, or simply someone who appreciates masterful color and detail, this print makes a thoughtful and memorable gift—perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, housewarmings, or to celebrate a friend’s recent travels along the Pacific coast.

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.