The Rock Fish (Perca venenosa) Possibly 1754

Mark Catesby created this print of the Rock Fish, or Perca venenosa, sometime in the first half of the 18th century. As a naturalist, Catesby was part of a long history of Europeans documenting the flora and fauna of the Americas. Consider the historical context: Catesby's work emerged during a period of intense colonial expansion. This print then reflects the scientific and economic interests driving European exploration. It's not just an image of a fish; it's a document shaped by colonial ambitions. How do we reckon with the legacy of scientific exploration when it is so closely tied to colonial projects and the exploitation of natural resources? Catesby emphasizes certain details, like the fish's coloration, which are likely tied to its market value or perceived exoticism. The print is also an aesthetic object, intended to appeal to a European audience eager for images of the ‘New World.’ As we observe this image, let's reflect on our own position as viewers, implicated in a long history of looking, knowing, and naming.