Sea Bass, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This chromolithograph, "Sea Bass", from the "Fish from American Waters" series is a classic example of 19th-century naturalism. Created in 1889 by Allen & Ginter for their popular cigarette cards, it showcases the detailed anatomical features of a sea bass. The intricate scales, fins, and eye are rendered with precision, giving the viewer a close-up glimpse of the creature's morphology. The artist's keen observation and skillful use of color create a lifelike representation of the fish against a subtly textured background. The card, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, reflects a time when scientific illustration and popular culture intersected in the world of trading cards.