Ocean Life. James M Sommerville, Christian Schussele.

Ocean Life is one of the earliest American submarine illustrations. This picture was executed expressly for lithographic reproduction in a pamphlet of the same title published in Philadelphia in 1859.

James M. Sommerville (1825 - 1899), a physician, amateur naturalist, member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, as well as an artist and a trustee of the Pennsylvania Academy, was probably the designer of the watercolor. He collected the specimens, wrote the text of the pamphlet and lithographed the image.

Schussele, the first professor in drawing and painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, was chiefly a genre, history painter and portrait painter, yet his subject matter occasionally reflected Philadelphia’s scientific tradition, as in this watercolor.

Place this amazing canvas piece anywhere to instantly attract attention and inspire wonder. A great historical piece to keep alive. Perfect for the ocean, or beach lover.

• Fine, artist-grade cotton canvas.
• High image quality and detail.
• Hanging hooks pre-installed. 
• Indoor use only.
• Soft rubber dots provide support and stability for hanging.
• Printed using non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable latex inks.
• Radiata pine frame sourced from FSC certified renewable forests.