Fish traders, 1786.

Engraving by Daniel Berger after J C W Rosenberg from 'Ichthyologie', (Berlin, 1785-1788), a work on the natural history of fish, by Marcus Bloch (1723-1799). Bloch's famous work set out to describe and illustrate the fish of the then known world. Its remarkable plates are highlighted with silver and gold to imitate the sheen of fish scales. Interest in fishing as a leisure activity was growing and Bloch was helped by many individuals who sent him fish from all over the world.