Who painted The Haul of Monstrous Fish?

The Haul of Monstrous Fish was painted by Adamo Scultori in 1504.

Where can I see The Haul of Monstrous Fish?

The Haul of Monstrous Fish is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Haul of Monstrous Fish?

The Haul of Monstrous Fish is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Haul of Monstrous Fish?

Museum-quality prints of The Haul of Monstrous Fish are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Haul of Monstrous Fish

Adamo Scultori , 1504

The Haul of Monstrous Fish is a print by the Renaissance artist Adamo Scultori. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1922.487
Credit line: Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.

About this work

Overview

The print titled The Haul of Monstrous Fish is an engraving produced by the Mantuan printmaker Adamo, a member of a distinguished family of engravers. The image derives from a preparatory drawing by the painter Giulio Romano, linked to his 1527 fresco cycle in the Sala dei Venti of Mantua’s Palazzo del Tè.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a crowded wooden table laden with oversized fish, some with open mouths and others twisted like ropes. A figure in the lower corner leans on a long pole, suggesting the labor of unloading a massive catch. The exaggerated scale and chaotic arrangement emphasize abundance and the spectacle of the haul.

Technique & Style

Adamo translated Romano’s sketch into a detailed engraving, employing fine line work to render the textures of scales, wood, and flesh. The print’s chiaroscuro modeling and crowded spatial arrangement reflect the Mannerist tendency toward complex, dynamic compositions.

History & Provenance

The engraving was created shortly after Romano’s frescoes, likely in the early 1530s, as part of a broader effort to disseminate the artist’s designs. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently displayed.