Michigan Grayling (Thymallus ontariensis) by John L. Petrie, 1898

John L. Petrie’s The Michigan Grayling, Thymallus ontariensis (1898) is a glowing example of late Victorian natural history art, created at the height of a movement that fused scientific observation with refined illustration. Produced for William C. Harris’s ambitious series The Fishes of North America, this plate balances anatomical precision with the elegant, decorative clarity prized by premium color plate books of the period. Petrie’s careful field studies—undertaken while observing living specimens—allowed him to capture the grayling’s distinctive silhouette, iridescent scales, and sail-like dorsal fin before fleeting colors dimmed.

Offered by The Unique Maps Co., this artwork is available as a high-quality fine art print on museum-grade, acid-free archival paper or as a richly textured artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes and optional conservation framing to suit your space. We’re happy to personalize the piece with a custom caption, dedication, or date line, and can tailor color tone and margins to complement your interior.

About the artist: John L. Petrie was among the skilled illustrators who helped define American ichthyological art at the turn of the 20th century. Working closely with editor and angling authority William C. Harris, Petrie embraced a practice grounded in direct observation. That commitment to accuracy shines here: the fish’s proportions, fin placement, scale patterning, and reflective sheen are rendered with the clarity of a field guide and the grace of fine art.

About the subject: The Michigan grayling—Thymallus ontariensis in the plate’s original Latin—was a celebrated native of cold, clear tributaries of the Great Lakes. The species’ elegant, elongated body and high, patterned dorsal fin made it a favorite among naturalists and anglers alike. As an artifact of its time, this print also speaks to late 19th-century efforts to catalogue North America’s fauna, preserving the appearance and character of a fish whose presence in its historic waters later diminished.

Color and design: Petrie’s palette leans into cool, aquatic greens and silvery grays, tempered by warm yellow-gold notes along the flank and fins. Fine, stippled gradients suggest the grayling’s natural iridescence, while smooth tonal modeling—achieved through meticulous chromolithography—gives the polish of careful brushwork. Subtle blues and soft browns anchor the form against a pale, water-tinged ground, so the fish seems poised in quiet motion. It’s a piece that offers both scientific clarity and serene, decorative beauty—equally at home in a study, library, lakeside retreat, or contemporary living room.

This print makes a thoughtful gift for anglers, conservationists, ichthyologists, and anyone with ties to Michigan or the Great Lakes—perfect for birthdays, housewarmings, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or to celebrate a friend’s recent travels to the region.

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.