Historical Fish Illustrations

Classic illustrations of various fish species, showcasing detailed anatomical features, drawn in historical styles, perfect for ichthyology enthusiasts.

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Mark Catesby, The Porgy (Sparus chrysops), published 1754 The Porgy (Sparus chrysops)

Ichtyologie, ou, Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des poissons A Berlin, Chez l'auteur, & chez François de la Garde libraire 1785-1797 fishes Germany ichthyology pictorial works, This illustration features a detailed depiction of a fish, showcasing its elongated body, distinctively patterned scales, and prominent dorsal fin. Notable are the fish's large eye and slightly open mouth, giving it a lifelike appearance. Alongside the fish, an accompanying illustration of a shell offers a contrast in shape and texture, suggesting a marine context. The scientific names and annotations are neatly inscribed, providing context and classification for viewers interested in ichthyology.

Fish, to the left, Jean Bernard, 1775 - 1833 drawing paper. chalk bony fishes

Indo-Pacific sailfish, istiophore voilier, Istiophorus platypterus, and moonfish, Mene Anne-Caroline, Mene maculata. The moonfish was named for Anne-Caroline Lacepede. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieu's "Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles" 1816-1830. The volumes on fish and reptiles were edited by Hippolyte Cloquet, natural historian and doctor of medicine. Illustration by J.G. Pretre, engraved by Madame Joyeau, directed by Turpin, and published by F. G. Levrault. Jean Gabriel Pretre (1780~1845) was painter of natural history at Empress Josephine's zoo and later became artist to the Museum of Natural History.

Sparus Aurata, Gilt-Head.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1797. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Epinephelus Afer, The Africain Wall-eye.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1797. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Image 239 of Page view volume 4 | Library of Congress

The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, London, Printed at the expense of the author and sold by W. Innys and R. Manby, at the West End of St. Paul's, by Mr. Hauksbee, at the Royal Society House, and by the author at Mr. Bacon's in Hoxton, MDCCXXXI-MDCCXLIII i.e. 1729-1747. Bahamas, Florida, Natural History, North Carolina, Pictorial Works, Pre-Linnean Works, South Carolina, Mark Catesby, Georgia, Ichthyology, Fish, Acanthurus Coeruleus, Blue Tang, Cephalopholis Fulva, Coney, Turdus Rhomboidalis, Turdus Cauda Convexa, Yellowfish, Mark Catesby, Hist Sci Art, Southern States, Aquatic Animals, Blue Tang, Atlantic Blue Tang, Blue Barber, Blue Doctor Blue Doctorfish, Blue Tang Surgeonfish, Yellow Barber, Yellow Doctorfish, Coney, Butterfish, Taxonomy: Kingdom= Animalia, Taxonomy: Phylum= Chordata, Taxonomy: Class= Actinopterygii, Acanthuriformes, Taxonomy: Family= Acanthuridae, Acanthurus, Atlantic Blue Tang, Blue Barber, Blue Doctor Blue Doctorfish, Blue Tang Surge

Greater weever (Trachinus Draco), anonymous, before 1585 drawing Netherlands paper. ink. deck paint. graphite (mineral) pen / brush bony fishes: weever

Carp and wooding; Libelivs variable genera piscium compensators; Freshwater fish, sea fishing, frogs, crustaceans and sea designs. carp and wood, inscriptifiers identify the fish in Latin and Dutch.

Five fish, Anonymous, After Adriaen Collaert, 1634 print A spotted fish, two small fish and two carp. The print is part of a series with fish as the subject. Amsterdam paper etching / engraving fishes. bony fishes: carp

Ichtyologie, ou, Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des poissons, A Berlin, Chez l'auteur, & chez François de la Garde libraire, 1785-1797, fishes, Germany, ichthyology, pictorial works, A detailed illustration of a pufferfish, showcasing its distinct rounded body covered with small spines and patterned with spots. The fish is depicted in a side view, highlighting its bulbous shape and large eye, which is colored green. Above, a smaller, circular diagram represents the fish's internal structure or a specific feature, providing additional scientific context. The overall composition emphasizes the unique characteristics of the pufferfish, a notable species in marine biology.

Pleuronectes Passser, The Left-Flounder.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1785. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Ostracion cubicus, The Square-Fish.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1787. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Squalus Squatina, The Angel Fish., 1785 - 1797., Berlin. Publisher, chez l'auteur., 1785 - 1797. Fishes

Chaetodon suratensis.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1792. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Diminutive Sucker, Cyclopterus Montagui.. Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837. Prints, Illustrations. 1804. Rare Book Division. Fishes , Great Britain, Fishes in art

Top, the plumiers diodon; centre, the mole diodon; bottom, the bottle fish. Coloured etching by J. Pass after H. Bloch, 25 March 1803.

1. Labrus Melagaster, The Black-belly; 2. Labrus malapterus, The soft finned Wrasse., 1785 - 1797, Berlin, Publisher, chez l'auteur, 1785 - 1797, Fishes

Rode Poon (Chelidonichthys lamp), Anselm Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610 drawing Gurnard. Numbered at the top right: 16. At the top right the name in six languages. At the bottom right a cut out and glued in, deducted in Latin. Part of the sixth album with drawings of fish, shells and insects. Sixth of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, made commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanation in Dutch, Latin and French. draughtsman: Praagdraughtsman: Delft paper. pencil. chalk. watercolor (paint). deck paint. ink brush / pen bony fishes: gurnard

1. Silurus atherinoides, The Silver stripe; 2. Silurus vittatus, The striped Silure.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1797. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Black scorpion fish, Scorpaena porcus (Porcine scorpaena). Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's "The Naturalist's Miscellany," London, 1810.

Zeevissen, Jan Brandes, 1778 drawing Color drawings of four fish, Gep, flatfish, sea cat and flying fish. With inscriptions. Part of Jan Brandes' sketchbook, dl. 1 (1808), p. 230. Draughtsman: Atlantic Oceanindisch Ocean paper. pencil. watercolor (paint) brush bony fishes: flying fish. bony fishes. molluscs: squid Atlantic Ocean. Indian Ocean

Seven fish; Fishing; PISCIUM VIVAE ICONES. Seven different fish including a herring. Each fish is equipped with its name. The print is part of a series of fish as subject.

Fish. Draughtsman: Jean Bernard. Dating: 1775 - 1833. Measurements: h 113 mm × w 213 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Joris Hoefnagel, Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva) Plate VI, c 1575 1580 Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva): Plate VI

Butterfly-fish

Anthias Argus, The Argus.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1797. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Ganges river dolphin, Platanista gangetica gangetica, endangered. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodder's The Naturalist's Miscellany, London, 1804.

Vis, Jean Bernard, 1775 - 1833 drawing paper. chalk bony fishes

A narwhal and large sperm whale. Engraving.

Anthias testudineus, The Tortoise-fish.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1797. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Joris Hoefnagel, Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva) Plate XV, c 1575 1580 Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva): Plate XV

Crested oarfish, Lophotus lacepedei (Lophotes copedianus) and oarfish, Regalecus glesne (Gymnetrus gladius). Handcoloured lithograph from Carl Hoffmann's Book of the World, Stuttgart, 1848.

D. Marcus Elieser Bloch's ausübenden Arztes zu Berlin Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische Deutschlands Berlin Auf Kosten des Verfassers und in Commission bei dem Buchhändler Hr. Hesse 1782-1795 fish Berlin Germany ichthyology fishes grouper zoology engravings hand-coloring mero early works Chordate Epinephelus Actinopterygii blacktip grouper Serranidae Perciformes longtooth grouper pictorial works Epinephelus fasciatus, The artwork showcases two distinct species of fish, meticulously illustrated to highlight their unique features and colors. On the left, a fish with a robust, elongated body adorned with intricate patterns of stripes and spots, exhibiting vibrant hues of blue and browns, showcasing its distinctive facial markings. Its fins are delicately detailed, reflecting the texture and form of its physique. On the right, a contrasting fish presents a streamlined shape with bold red and orange tones, its scales shimmering with a radiant sheen. Both fish are depicted side by side

Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), Mackerel. / Scomber Lacertus Marrellus. / Macreau. (title on object), Mackerel. Numbered top right: 18. Top left the name in five languages. Part of the sixth album with drawings of fish, shells and insects. Sixth of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanations in Dutch, Latin and French, bony fishes: mackerel, Anselmus Boetius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610, paper, pencil, chalk, watercolor (paint), ink, pen, h 126 mm × w 197 mm

River-Visch / Poisson the Riviere. Leaf 12 Performances of river fish, such as a salmon, a carp, a sturgeon and a perch. Under every performance the name of the fish in Dutch and in French. Numbered at the top right: No. 24.

Fish, to the left. Draughtsman: Jean Bernard. Dating: 1775 - 1833. Measurements: h 135 mm × w 275 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London London Academic Press Periodicals Zoology Fish, The illustration showcases three distinct fish species, each labeled with a number for identification. The first fish on the left is depicted with a rounded body and prominent scales, suggesting it's a freshwater species. The second fish is elongated and streamlined, indicative of a different habitat or behavioral adaptation. Finally, the third fish on the right features a thicker body and a broad head, hinting at its predatory nature. The scientific names for these species are provided below each illustration, enriching the educational context of the artwork.

Piper, 1809. Issued in London by G. Kearsley. The work focuses on animals and zoology and includes engravings

Torquigener glaber (Tas) - Pufferfish, by Frank Edward Clarke.

Whalers hunting a bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus. Above and below the vignette are examples of the whale's diet of shellfish, plankton and shrimp. Handcoloured lithograph from Carl Hoffmann's Book of the World, Stuttgart, 1848.

Two cable juises on the beach; Molucius piscis. Le Morus fraiche.; Fish and other marine animals - salt water second series; Poissons de Mer ..

A history of the fishes of the British Islands 1862-65 Great Britain Fishes Cepola macrophthalma, The illustration features two species of eel-like fish, showcasing their elongated bodies and vibrant colors. The larger fish, characterized by its slender shape, has a prominent dorsal fin and distinct facial features, including large, expressive eyes. It exhibits a gradient of colors, transitioning from a rich yellow to a soft orange along its body. The smaller fish, positioned below the larger one, is similarly elongated but slightly shorter, displaying a more subtle color palette with hints of orange and yellow. Both specimens are depicted in a side view, allowing for a clear observation of their form and coloration, emphasizing the diversity within aquatic life.

Pyed acarauna, a small American fish called by our sailors "old wife.". Acarauna. Illustration copied from Edwards.. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from "The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine; or, Complete Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature" (1798~1802) published by Harrison, London.

North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis (endangered) and blue whale or fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus (endangered). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by David after an illustration by Jean-Gabriel Pretre from Bernard Germain de Lacepede's Natural History of Oviparous Quadrupeds, Snakes, Fish and Cetaceans, Eymery, Paris, 1825.

Characters in the Streets of London, Benjamin West, 1738-1820, American, active in Britain (from 1763), 1799, Brown wash with pen and brown ink on moderately thick, slightly textured, beige laid paper, Sheet: 11 7/8 x 15 13/16 inches (30.2 x 40.2 cm) and Image: 9 1/16 x 12 7/8 inches (23 x 32.7 cm), aprons, baskets, bench, dresses, drinking, fish, food, genre subject, hats, men, milkmaid, sitting, standing, women, England, London, United Kingdom

Histoire naturelle des quadrupèdes ovipares, Paris, Rapet, 1819, natural history, fishes, zoology, The illustration features three distinct species of fish, each labeled with their corresponding numbers. The top fish is streamlined with a pointed snout and has a textured body, possibly indicating adaptations for its environment. The middle fish is more robust with a rounded shape and prominent dorsal spines, showcasing detailed scales that suggest its defensive mechanisms. The bottom fish appears more oval with a flatter body, adorned with intricate patterns, likely reflecting its unique habitat or behavior. Each fish is meticulously rendered, emphasizing their anatomical features and variations in texture, providing insight into marine biodiversity.

Three haddock on the beach; Edefinus l'egefin.; Fish and other marine animals - saltwater third series; Poissons de Mer ..

Alfred W. Cooper, active 1850-1901, British, The Burn (tail piece), undated. Wood-engraving with hand coloring on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper.

Carp and tench: four freshly-caught fish shown on the banks of the lake at Austerley Park. Lithograph by H. O'Neil, after H.L. Rolfe, 1851.

Two turbots on the beach, Albert Flamen, 1664 print print maker: Parispublisher: ParisFrance paper etching fishes

Ocean sunfish, Mola mola. Vulnerable. (Sun fish, Tetrodon mola). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Edward Donovan from his Natural History of British Fishes, Donovan and F.C. and J. Rivington, London, 1802-1808.

Common Seal

Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua 88, and scenes on board a factory ship, men and women gutting and salting fish on deck 90,91, and dropping the fish into the hold 89. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Gottlieb Tobias Wilhelm's Encyclopedia of Natural History: Fish, Augsburg, 1804. Wilhelm (1758-1811) was a Bavarian clergyman and naturalist known as the German Buffon.

Rot and horse, the fish with its tail. Sheet with 6 performances of animals (two mammals and four fish). Under each image a two-legged verse. Numbered: 38.

Whale (Cetus); Walvian man. / Cetus mas. / Baleine Mle. Whale. The animal has the teeth of a shark and the tail and fins of a fish. Numbered at the top right: 1. Above the latin name. Part of the sixth album with drawings of fish, shells and insects. Sixth of twelve albums with drawings of animals, birds and plants known around 1600, commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II. With explanation in Dutch, Latin and French.

Joris Hoefnagel, Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva) Plate LII, c 1575 1580 Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva): Plate LII

Joris Hoefnagel, Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva) Plate XXXIV, c 1575 1580 Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva): Plate XXXIV

Squirrel fish (Soldier fish), by John White (created 1585-1586).

American coot : Fulica Americana, Gm. c.1 v.3 plate 239 , Coots, American coot. The Birds of America- From Original Drawings by John James Audubon

A new and accurate system of natural history, London, Printed for J. Newbery, 1763, natural history, The illustration features four distinct fish species, each labeled with a corresponding number. At the top, the 'Pen Fish' is depicted, followed by the 'Jacob Evertsen Fish' characterized by its uniquely patterned body. Below that is the 'East Indian Sea Hog,' recognized for its stout form and prominent features, and at the bottom is the 'Stone Bream,' noted for its flattened body and dorsal fin. Each fish is rendered with attention to detail, showcasing specific anatomical features, textures, and scales, highlighting their unique characteristics and distinguishing traits.

Seabream (tai) and Japanese pepper leaves (sansho); print from the series: Uo zukushi (A Shoal of Fishes). Utagawa, Hiroshige I (1797-1858), graphic artist

The fly-fisher's entomology, London, Longmans, Green, & co, 1901, fishing, fly fishing, trout fishing, grayling fishing, flies, artificial., The illustration showcases three distinct fish species displayed side by side. On the left, a vibrant brown trout is depicted, characterized by its speckled skin adorned with reddish and black spots. In the center, a sleek grayling features a smooth, elongated body with a prominent dorsal fin, highlighted by delicate coloration. To the right, a pale white fish, identified as a parr, showcases a streamlined form. The background is styled with lush green grass, enhancing the natural setting of these aquatic specimens, which are beautifully rendered to highlight their unique textures and patterns.

Magazine of zoology and botany, Edinburgh, Dublin, botany, natural history, periodicals, zoology, A detailed depiction of a fish, showcasing its elongated body and distinctive features. The fish is oriented horizontally, with its mouth open, revealing sharp teeth. Its scales reflect a mix of dark hues along the back and lighter tones on the belly, highlighting the contrast in its coloration. The eye is prominent and expressive, adding depth to its appearance. Accompanying the illustration is a label identifying the species as 'Bacalao,' indicating its place in a scientific context. The background is stylized to mimic a natural habitat, providing a subtle texture that enhances the overall presentation of this aquatic creature.

Goby, bokvis, whiting and another fish Fish (series title) Piscivm vivae icones (series title), fishes, Pierre Firens, 1600 - 1638, paper, engraving, h 93 mm × w 184 mm

Four fish on the beach; Fishing; PISCIVM VIVAE ICONES. A carp, an Elrits, a catfish and a perch are together with some shells washed up on the beach. In the background the sea with a few ships. The print is part of a series of fish as subject.

Fish belonging to the Salmon family. Date: 19th century

Schjerfbeck, Helene, work, Portrait of a man, 1877-1878, marker on paper, drawing, 20 .4 cm x 15.4 cm, Helena Sofia Helene Schjerfbeck 1862 - 1946, Finnish modernist painter, known for her realist works, self-portraits, landscapes and still lifes, finland.

Two Carp, Fan print showing two gray carp against blue background with seaweed., Katsushika Hokusai (mentioned on object), Japan, 1831, paper, colour woodcut, h 176 mm × w 286 mm

Arius Oncinus, Ichthyology - Fish

Sperm whale or cachalot, Physeter macrocephalus 1,2, harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena 3, and Atlantic dolphin, Delphinus delphis 4. Copperplate engraving by J. Scott after an illustration by Sydenham Edwards from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, Paternoster Row, London, March 1, 1812.

Lamna nasus (NZ) : Porbeagle shark, 1877, by Frank Edward Clarke.

Three chub, Squalius cephalus, on a riverbank, Albert Flamen, Jacques van Merlen, Louis XIV King of France, 1664

Sand Launce, Ammodytes Tobianus.. Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837. Prints, Illustrations. 1803. Rare Book Division. Fishes , Great Britain, Fishes in art

Extinct Ceratodus latissimus among reeds on the ocean floor. Ceratodus (Greek for horned tooth) was a genus of extinct sarcopterygiian lungfish from the middle Triassic to the late Cretaceous. Molchfisch Ceratodus. Colour printed illustration by Heinrich Harder from Wilhelm Bolsches Tiere der Urwelt (Animals of the Prehistoric World), Reichardt Cocoa company, Hamburg, 1908. Heinrich Harder (1858-1935) was a German landscape artist and book illustrator.

1. Chaetodon macrolepidotus; 2. Chaetodon cornutus.. Bloch, Marcus Elieser, 1723-1799. Prints, Illustrations. 1788. Rare Book Division. Fishes

Four fish on the beach, after 1595 - 1618 print A Geep, a sea needle, a brill and a plaice are arrested on the beach together with some shells. In the background the sea with a few ships. The print is part of a series with fish as the subject. paper engraving bony fishes: garfish. bony fishes: brill. bony fishes: plaice. bony fishes: pipefish. sea (seascape)

Lophius piscatorius, commonly known as The Sea Devil., 1785 - 1797., Berlin. Publisher, chez l'auteur., 1785 - 1797. Fishes

Cychla Labrina, Ichthyology - Fish

Lancet Acanthurus.. Shaw, George (1751-1813). Prints, Scientific illustrations. 1809. General Research Division. Animals, Zoology

The animal kingdom, based upon the writings of the eminent naturalists, Audubon, Wallace, Brehm, Wood and others. New York, Johnson & Bailey, 1897, mammals, zoology, finback whale, whale, Balaenoptera physalus, Balaenoptera physalus, narwhal, Monodon monoceros, Monodon monoceros, beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas, Delphinapterus leucas, cetacean, A serene ocean scene featuring three distinct cetaceans. At the forefront, a majestic narwhal is depicted with its long, spiraled tusk, gliding gracefully through the water. Beside it, a white whale, known for its striking pale coloration, surfaces playfully among gentle waves. In the background, a rorqual, characterized by its streamlined body and prominent dorsal fin, swims alongside them. The scene captures the beauty and diversity of marine life, with a detailed view of the creatures' forms and the tranquil aquatic environment that surrounds them.

zoology mammals mammalia sirenia eared seals ((Otariidae) and sea otter (Enhydra lutris) copper engraving Georg Wilhelm Steller ""Beschreibung von sonderbaren Meerestieren"" published by Karl Christian Kuemmel Halle 1753 Zoological State collection Munich,

Two porpoises on the beach; Phocana, Espesce de Marsoin,; Fish and other marine animals - saltwater third series; Poissons de Mer ..

Centrarchus Cyanopterus, Ichthyology - Fish

Flying Knorhaan, Rull, Mucus Fish and a Walrus, Pierre Firens, After Adriaen Collaert, 1600 - 1638 print print maker: Parisafter print by: Antwerppublisher: Paris paper engraving fishes

Red carp swimming up a waterfall atnight. Artist, copy after: Yashima Gakutei, Japanese, ca. 1786-1868

'The Fish-Kingdom,' seen through glass bottom boats at Silver Springs, Florida , Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

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