European Peacock
The European Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) is featured in this bold print, its vibrant reds, indigo eyespots, and rich patterning rendered with clarity. Instantly recognisable across Europe and temperate Asia, the peacock is a textbook example of anti‑predator display. Each wing bears a striking blue, yellow and black eyespot — features evolved to startle or confuse birds and other predators, making this one of the continent’s most iconic insects.
Common in gardens, parks, woodland clearings and open countryside, the species is highly mobile, emerging early in the year after overwintering in sheds, hollow trees, or woodpiles. Its larvae feed on nettles, and adults seek nectar from buddleia, thistles and other summer blooms. With a wingspan reaching up to seven centimetres, the peacock’s cryptic brown undersides provide camouflage when at rest, while the dazzling upper surfaces are revealed with a sudden opening of the wings — an action that can produce an audible hissing sound as a further deterrent to attacking birds and rodents. European populations are stable and expanding, and the butterfly’s capacity to adapt to new habitats has made it a familiar sight as far north as the British Isles and east to Japan.
This print reproduces an updated illustration from the book Bugs, presented in a landscape format using the giclée process on heavyweight 250gsm archival matte paper. Rich colour, sharp detail and generous white margins result in an artwork that feels clean, immediate and visually enduring — a perfect focal point for collectors or anyone drawn to the elegance of natural design.
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.