Sea Bass (Centropristes striatus) by John L. Petrie, 1898

John L. Petrie’s The Sea Bass, Centropristes striatus (1898) captures a quintessential moment in Victorian natural history: the meeting point of science and art. Originally issued as a chromolithographic plate for William C. Harris’s The Fishes of North America, Petrie’s study reflects the era’s determination to record species with lifelike accuracy—before the colors and textures of a fresh specimen could fade. Here the sea bass is presented with poised clarity and anatomical precision, set against a softly toned ground that keeps our focus on the fish’s glimmering scales and confident profile.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Petrie’s illustration, produced on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s 100% cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with custom framing available through The Unique Maps Co. in tasteful finishes. We can add an elegant caption, personalized dedication, or a commemorative date to the margin or verso—perfect for collectors who appreciate both beauty and provenance.

About the artist: John L. Petrie was a late 19th-century scientific illustrator working in the United States, contributing to notable compendia of American ichthyology. His plates are admired for their measured draftsmanship and nuanced color—hallmarks of high-quality scientific lithography of the period. Petrie’s role in pairing field observation with exacting studio technique helped set a standard for naturalist illustration at the turn of the century.

About the subject: Titled The Sea Bass, Centropristes striatus, this plate reflects the period’s drive to catalog native fish with taxonomic clarity and visual fidelity. In the 1890s, editors and artists collaborated to capture the sheen, markings, and proportions of living specimens as precisely as possible, elevating illustrations from mere records to authoritative references. Works like this helped foster public curiosity about ichthyology and the health of coastal ecosystems—topics that remain compelling today.

Style and color: Petrie’s chromolithography balances scientific realism with painterly sensitivity. Note the measured transitions from olive and mossy greens along the dorsal surface into warm, golden-yellow highlights over the flanks, with muted browns and soft blue-grays shaping the shadows. The scale pattern is meticulously stippled to suggest depth and movement, while the gentle, unintrusive background preserves the illusion of a fish hovering in clear water. The result is both informative and striking—an image that reads beautifully in modern interiors from coastal living rooms to crisp, contemporary studies.

This fine art print makes a superb gift for anglers, marine enthusiasts, coastal homeowners, and lovers of Victorian natural history. It’s a thoughtful choice for Father’s Day, Christmas, a housewarming near the shore, or to welcome someone home from travels by the sea.

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.