Striped Bass (Roccus lineatus) by John L. Petrie, 1898

The Striped Bass, Roccus lineatus (1898) by John L. Petrie is a superb example of late‑Victorian zoological illustration at its most exacting and elegant. Created as a chromolithographic plate for The Fishes of North America under editor and author William C. Harris, this portrait captures the striped bass from life with meticulous attention to anatomy, sheen, and patterning. Issued at a time when scientific illustration depended equally on close observation and artistic skill, Petrie’s rendering preserves the fish’s fleeting coloration and iridescence with remarkable fidelity.

Offered here as a museum-quality fine art print by The Unique Maps Co., this edition is available on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes, with optional borders, matting, and custom framing to fit standard or bespoke interiors. Personalization is available—add a discreet dedication, date, or studio cartouche—along with consultation for size and colour balancing to perfectly suit your space.

About the artist: John L. Petrie was a late-19th-century American illustrator known for his refined ichthyological portraits. Working closely with Harris, he helped elevate natural history publishing by pairing disciplined draftsmanship with the nuanced color control achievable through chromolithography. Petrie’s plates are admired for their lifelike modeling and for conveying scientific information with clear, unembellished beauty.

About the subject and history: The striped bass—scientifically noted here as Roccus lineatus and commonly known as the striped bass—is an emblematic North American game fish. In the 1890s, when fisheries science and sport angling were both rising in cultural prominence, carefully rendered fish portraits served educational, conservation, and artistic purposes. This print reflects that moment, presenting the species in an uncluttered profile that communicates form, proportion, and identifying features at a glance.

Color, style, and design: Petrie’s naturalistic style emphasizes realism without sacrificing aesthetic grace. Muted greens, yellow-gold highlights, and cool grays animate the fish’s silvery flanks, while delicate, even stippling across the scales suggests texture and movement. Darker olive-greens along the spine transition to lighter pearl-gray below, punctuated by the crisp, longitudinal striping that defines the species. Subtle shadows under the fins and a softly graded, water-toned background produce a calm, aquatic atmosphere—refined, quiet, and ideal for modern and traditional interiors alike. This is a compelling piece for collectors who value the intersection of art and science.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful gift for anglers, marine-life enthusiasts, and lovers of American natural history. Perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, a coastal home housewarming, or to welcome back someone who has recently traveled along the Atlantic seaboard, it brings a serene, scholarly elegance to any wall.

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.