Flying fish (UEB contracted)

By: Rnib

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Synopsis: Flying fish inscribed: ‘Bolador' and ‘The flyeng fishe'. John White, about 1585. Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil, with silver and gold. Size: 28.5 by 24 cm. Flying fish are found in great numbers off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where they are caught by dorado and birds. White has mistakenly inscribed the drawing ‘bolador' instead of using the Spanish word for flying, ‘volador'. The lead white he used to indicate the transparency of the wings has altered chemically to grey. The painting shows the flying fish with its "wings" outstretched, its head on the left and its tail on the right. The "wings" of the fish are actually enlarged pectoral fins which are used to "fly". Also shown is the left eye, dorsal fin, two pelvic fins and tail fins. The painting has been labelled, at the top is the word "Bolador" and towards the bottom are the words "The flyeng fishe". The colours used are brown and blue. The tactile image is very similar to the actual painting. Lines and a texture have been used to show some of the detail on the fish. Braille labels have been added for: enlarged pectoral fin, head, eye, pelvic fin, dorsal fin and tail fin. The text on the painting has been given in braille in the same position as the print.

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