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The Black Muray (Muraenae helenae varietas)

Mark Catesby

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a large dark blue eel among tall, slender, branching coral structures. The eel is dark blue and black, while the coral is golden brown against a light background. The eel's head is on the left, with its body winding through the coral branches that rise vertically in the image.

Artwork Details

Date
published 1754
Medium
etching and engraving with hand coloring on laid paper
Dimensions
3355 × 4627 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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