Tautog (Tautoga onitis) by John L. Petrie, 1898

The Blackfish or Tautog, Tautoga onitis (1898) by John L. Petrie is a luminous Victorian zoological illustration created for the landmark natural history series The Fishes of North America, edited by William C. Harris. Executed as a chromolithograph at the height of the 19th century’s passion for scientific exactitude, Petrie’s study balances rigorous observation with painterly grace. Harris and Petrie worked from living specimens to record the fish’s true silhouette, sheen, and coloration—an approach that gives this print its lifelike presence and softly lit, underwater atmosphere.

This listing offers a meticulously reproduced fine art print of Petrie’s plate, available on acid-free archival paper or artisan-grade cotton canvas. Each print is produced with museum-quality inks to preserve the depth of tone and delicate gradations found in the original. Choose from a curated range of sizes, with optional framing and matting to suit classic or contemporary interiors. The Unique Maps Co. can also personalize your piece with custom captions, dates, or a discreet dedication—ideal for commemorating a special place or occasion.

John L. Petrie was a gifted illustrator working at the nexus of art and science during the late 1800s, when chromolithography enabled richly layered color and unprecedented fidelity. Contributing to Harris’s ambitious survey, Petrie became known for plates that feel both instructive and elegant—works that collectors prize for their clarity, compositional poise, and quietly dramatic lighting.

The subject here, the tautog (Tautoga onitis)—often called “blackfish”—is a rugged Atlantic species whose thick lips, arched back, and mottled flanks are rendered with attentive care. In this plate, the fish reads as both specimen and character: poised mid-water, jaw slightly set, its anatomy crisply delineated against a calm field that suggests current and depth. This was precisely the kind of image educators, anglers, and naturalists relied upon in an era before underwater photography was practical.

The color work is especially compelling. Petrie layers cool greens and sea-blues to evoke a tranquil aquatic space, then models the fish in a subtle gradient from olive to gray with warm, yellow-gold glints along the scales. Gentle tonal transitions and precise shadowing shape the head, dorsal spines, and fins, while smooth background gradients suggest movement without distracting from the central form. The result is an image that feels fresh and immediate—an elegant fusion of realism and design that suits both coastal and classic interiors.

A handsome gift for anglers, marine biologists, and lovers of coastal life, this fine art print also makes a thoughtful present for housewarmings, Father’s Day, or anyone recently returned from a seaside trip. Beautiful on its own or as part of a gallery wall, Petrie’s tautog brings a quiet, scholarly refinement and a wash of ocean color to any room.

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.