The Rock Fish (Perca venenosa)

published 1754

Mark Catesby

Associated Names
Mark Catesby

Artist, English, 1679 - 1749

This is a drawing of a fish. The artwork shows a fish with a grey body, small red spots, a yellow mark near its gills, detailed fins with dark lines, textured scales, and a vivid reddish-orange eye. Written text below the image identifies the fish as "Perca venenosa (poisonous)" or "The Rock Fish," from the location "Bahamas." It appears to be a historical or botanical illustration for educational or scientific purposes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving with hand coloring on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Collection of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green

  • Dimensions

    plate: 26.4 x 35.2 cm (10 3/8 x 13 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 31.6 x 44.9 cm (12 7/16 x 17 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1991.163.21

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Natural History, Vol. vol.2, no. 5

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, Virginia; gift to NGA, 1991.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1771

  • Catesby, Mark. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. London: 1771.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: Perea venenosa &c.; upper right in plate: T5; by later hand, lower left in graphite: M. Catesby - London 1754; by later hand, lower center in graphite: The Rock Fish (poisonous); by later hand, lower right in graphite: Bahamas

Watermarks

present but not identified

Wikidata ID

Q74894690

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