Sea Bass, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

"Sea Bass" is a chromolithograph from the "Fishers and Fish" series created by Knapp & Company in 1888 for Duke brand cigarettes. This small-scale work depicts a realistic sea bass against a background of stylized aquatic plants. The detailed depiction of the fish's scales and fins, characteristic of chromolithography, aimed to capture the natural beauty of the subject. It is a prime example of the popular trade card genre prevalent in the late 19th century. These cards were widely collected and traded, serving as advertising for various products like cigarettes. Today, "Sea Bass" can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of 19th-century commercial art.