The Sucking Fish (Echeneis naucratis)
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a strange fish with a flat top, clinging to a wooden boat. The fish has a sucker-like head pressed against the hull, while its tail and fins stick out. Behind it, a leafy plant with long, pointed leaves and small red flowers grows upward. The boat looks old-fashioned, with a simple curved shape and no visible crew. The fish’s name, *Remora*, is written at the bottom, hinting at its real-life habit of hitching rides. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Catesby made detailed prints like this.
