Butterfly – European Peacock (Aglais io)
The European Peacock (Aglais io) appears in this bold, colourful print, its vivid reds and deep indigo eyespots rendered with clarity and contrast. Instantly recognisable across Europe and temperate Asia, the Peacock is a classic example of anti-predator display: each wing bears a striking blue, yellow, and black eyespot evolved to startle or confuse would-be attackers, making it one of the continent’s most familiar and distinctive butterflies.
Widespread in gardens, parks, woodlands, and open countryside, this adaptable species is highly mobile and among the first to appear in spring, emerging from winter hibernation in sheds, hollow trees, or woodpiles. Caterpillars feed on nettles, while adults visit buddleia, thistles, and other flowering plants throughout the summer. With a wingspan of up to seven centimetres, the Peacock is as notable for its behaviour as its beauty: the dark brown undersides of its wings provide camouflage when at rest, and a sudden flick open reveals the bright upper surfaces — sometimes accompanied by an audible hissing sound that deters birds and small mammals.
Populations across Europe are stable and expanding, with the species now found from the British Isles to Japan. Its adaptability and bold markings have made the Peacock one of the best-known butterflies in the world, a lasting emblem of summer across its range.
Bugs Series
Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.
Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.
Printing & Materials
Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.
Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.
Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.
All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.