Urban

What the Urban Collection Covers

Cities have been subjects for printmakers since the first copperplate city views in the 16th century. This collection draws on that full history — from detailed architectural engravings to jazz-era concert posters to contemporary graphic illustration of urban life.

The range falls into a few distinct categories. Architectural engraving and city views — precise, detailed prints of European and Asian cities from the 18th and 19th centuries. Maps and panoramic views that document places as they were, with the decorative borders and hand-drawn detail that make historical cartography so visually rich.

Jazz-era poster art and photography — New York, Chicago, Paris in the 1930s through 1950s. Concert venue graphics, nightlife illustration, the aesthetic of a particular urban confidence that defined mid-century poster design. These prints share a visual language with our vintage poster collection.

Mid-century street photography — candid observation of cities before they became self-conscious. Documentary work that captures atmosphere and architecture in equal measure.

Contemporary urban illustration — looser interpretations of city life and architecture from the artists we collaborate with directly. Designed as interior art rather than documentation, but rooted in the same urban observation.

Choosing the Right Format for Urban Prints

Graphic work — architectural engravings, typography-led poster designs, photographic prints — reads most accurately on fine art paper, where crisp lines and tonal detail stay sharp. Paper prints are available in A3, 50×70cm, 70×100cm, and A0, with oak, black, or walnut brown frames.

For painterly or atmospheric urban work — impressionistic cityscapes, loose watercolour illustrations — canvas adds warmth and texture that suits the subject. Canvas prints come in 30×40cm, 50×70cm, and 70×100cm, with an optional floating frame.

Black frames are the natural choice for urban subjects — the contrast reinforces the graphic quality and echoes the architectural geometry of the work. Natural oak suits warmer vintage city views and travel-inspired pieces.

Styling Urban Prints

A single large urban print — particularly a dramatic architectural engraving or a strong photographic composition — anchors a home office, entrance hall, or study effectively. These are prints with enough detail and visual weight to hold a wall on their own without needing a grouping.

For a gallery arrangement, jazz-era concert posters pair well with vintage posters from the same period. Architectural engravings group naturally with antique maps — the hand-drawn precision and decorative borders share a visual language. Contemporary urban illustration sits comfortably alongside modern prints and abstract art.

All prints are produced in our Berlin studio using archival pigment inks rated for 100+ years.