Dollar or Butter Fish (Rhombus triacanthus) by John L. Petrie, 1898

John L. Petrie’s The Dollar or Butter Fish, Rhombus triacanthus (1898) is a luminous Victorian zoological illustration from the celebrated natural history enterprise The Fishes of North America, overseen by angling editor and publisher William C. Harris. Created at the height of late‑19th‑century scientific illustration, Petrie’s plate marries field observation with artistic finesse: he and Harris worked from live specimens so the fish’s gleam, subtle coloration, and exact proportions could be recorded before they faded. Reproduced in rich, layered chromolithography, the result is an image that feels both scientifically grounded and artistically serene.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print produced by The Unique Maps Co., available on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit tight gallery walls or statement over-mantels, with optional framing to arrive ready to hang. We can personalize margins with a discreet caption, add the plate title and Latin name, or tailor color accents for your space—perfect for coastal interiors and study walls alike.

About the artist: John L. Petrie was a skilled late‑Victorian scientific illustrator whose collaboration with Harris helped define a distinctly American chapter of natural history art. His plates are prized for their clarity and poise—crisp fin rays, true-to-life body silhouettes, and a sensitivity to surface sheen that speaks to long hours of close observation. In an era that prized accuracy, Petrie’s disciplined draftsmanship served both scientists and collectors.

About the subject: this fish—labeled Rhombus triacanthus on the plate and known today as the Atlantic butterfish, Peprilus triacanthus—is depicted at life-like scale and in profile, emphasizing its compact, oval body, translucent fins, and characteristic “dollar” shape. The work reflects a pivotal moment when American naturalists sought to document familiar coastal species with rigor and beauty, signaling a shift away from grand allegory toward the everyday marvels of the natural world.

About the color and design: the palette centers on sea-glass greens, pearly grays, and warm yellow undertones that suggest reflected light along the fish’s flanks. Gentle tonal gradations and the soft, flowing backdrop convey a sense of underwater movement without distracting from the anatomical clarity of the subject. Precise linework delineates each fin ray, while layered chromolithographic tones supply the iridescent shimmer that makes the plate so gratifying to live with—equally at home in a refined library or a breezy beach house.

A timeless gift for anglers, marine biologists, and lovers of coastal décor, this elegant print makes a thoughtful present for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, housewarmings, or to welcome home someone newly returned from the Atlantic shore.

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.