Common Sunfish (Eupomotis gibbosus) by John L. Petrie, 1898

John L. Petrie’s The Common Sunfish, Eupomotis gibbosus (1898) is a luminous Victorian zoological illustration created for William C. Harris’s landmark series, The Fishes of North America. Rendered as a chromolithographic plate at the height of late 19th‑century natural history publishing, this work marries scientific observation with painterly finesse. Harris and Petrie worked from living specimens so that the iridescence, patterning, and subtle tonal shifts of the fish could be recorded before they faded—an approach that gives this plate its extraordinary lifelike presence.

Offered here as a high‑quality fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this piece is available on museum‑grade, acid‑free archival paper or on richly textured artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional hand‑crafted framing. Personalization—such as custom captions, dedication plates, or gallery labels—is available on request to make your print truly unique.

Petrie was a gifted American illustrator whose work helped define the golden era of chromolithographic natural history. His plates for The Fishes of North America are prized for their balance of rigor and beauty, and for the way they distill field observation into clear, elegant forms. Collectors value Petrie’s impeccable draftsmanship and nuanced color, hallmarks of an artist attuned to both the demands of science and the allure of fine art.

The subject here—the Common Sunfish, identified in the period as Eupomotis gibbosus (now classified as Lepomis gibbosus)—is among North America’s most familiar freshwater species, widely appreciated by anglers and naturalists alike. In the 1890s, such illustrations were vital tools for ichthyology and public education, translating field notes and specimen study into accessible, accurate imagery. As part of Harris’s ambitious project to document American fauna, this plate embodies the era’s excitement about cataloging the natural world.

Color is central to the print’s appeal. Earthy, sun‑warmed tones predominate: a golden‑yellow body modulates into olive‑brown along the back, while notes of orange and amber enliven the fins and flank. Petrie’s meticulous patterning of scales—darker above, lighter below—creates a convincing three‑dimensionality, and the smooth, transparent transitions read like light passing through shallow water. The composition isolates the fish against a clean, understated ground, foregrounding its streamlined shape and making the piece both scientifically clear and visually serene—a versatile statement for study, den, or contemporary living space.

This timeless natural history print makes a thoughtful gift for anglers, biologists, and art lovers—perfect for birthdays, housewarmings, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or for anyone returning from a lakeside holiday with memories of sunlit water and glinting fish.

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.