Shimmering Cardinalfish, Goldenstriped Soapfish and Coral Devil | 1902–1903

Description

Restored from an early 20th-century plate, this vintage scientific illustration presents three reef fishes—the Shimmering cardinalfish (Taeniamia lineolata), Goldenstriped soapfish (Grammistes sexlineatus), and Coral devil (Plesiops coeruleolineatus)—arranged in profile as separate specimens against a spacious white ground. The restoration preserves the quiet period typography while reviving fine linework and luminous color, making it a refined natural history art print for coastal interiors, studios, or ichthyology lovers.

Unframed Print

Size: 30x45cm  |  12x18"

Material: Fine art Hahnemühle German Etching paper, 310 gsm — textured surface, warm/natural white, velvet matt finish

Printing technique: Museum-quality giclée with water-based pigment inks

Eco credentials

• Water-based inks
• Sustainably sourced paper
• Local fulfilment to reduce carbon emissions
• Plastic-free product

About the artist

Kako Morita (1870–1931) was a Japanese scientific illustrator known for luminous depictions of tropical fishes and other natural history subjects. Working with leading biologists and museums in the early 20th century, he produced watercolor plates that combined meticulous anatomical accuracy with a refined painterly sensibility.