Mahi mahi

The Moluccan fleet of the Fifth Expedition sailed to the Indonesian archipelago and back to the Netherlands over the course of two years: 1601 to 1603. Along the way, the crew would frequently catch fish from the oceans and seas that the ships traversed. Many of these were drawn in the journal of the Gelderland under the command of admiral Wolphert Harmensz, giving us insights into the great diversity of species the expedition encountered.

This drawing shows a high-detailed and artistic drawing of a mahi-mahi, also known as the common dolphin fish. It shows the fish not only in a very live-like manner, but captures its colouring and the texture of its skin in great detail. It is one of the highlights of the journal’s drawings. Joris Joostensz. Laerle, artist on board of the Gelderland, likely drew this depiction of the mahi-mahi (Corypaena hippurus) in the journal of the flagship Gelderland.