Hi
I’m Claire, the curator and treasure hunter behind Picture Box Blue. If you love old maps, botanical illustrations, natural history prints, Art Nouveau patterns, and stunning Japanese woodblock prints, you’re in the right place. I spend my days trawling flea markets, antique shops, and online digital archives worldwide to uncover these pictorial gems and make them accessible for fellow creatives and history lovers.
A Journey Through Time and Art
My love for vintage maps first sent me down the rabbit hole of curating old images. Maps have always fascinated me—not just for their function but for the artistry, history, and craftsmanship that go into their creation. As someone who has traveled extensively and lived in different countries, I’ve always found maps to be more than just navigational tools; they are windows into other times and places, telling stories of exploration and discovery. This passion led me to collect old maps, quickly expanding into a broader love for all things vintage—botanical prints, natural history illustrations, and beautiful decorative designs. Before I knew it, I was curating a collection of stunning vintage images, and Picture Box Blue was born.
What You’ll Find Here
I’ve curated a diverse collection of free vintage illustrations in the Publc Domain. Whether you’re looking for prints to frame, images for decoupage, or artwork to incorporate into digital projects, you’ll find plenty to explore, including:
- Antique Maps – From world maps to regional curiosities, these images started it all.
- Botanical Beauties – Delicate floral illustrations and stunning plant studies.
- Natural History Wonders – Zoological, ornithological, and entomological prints capture the beauty of wildlife.
- Japanese Art & Prints – I have a special fondness for vintage Japanese illustrations’ intricate and delicate artistry.
- Art Nouveau & Decorative Design – A growing collection of ornate patterns and artistic motifs from one of my favorite art movements.
- Patterns & Textiles – Ornamental designs, vintage textiles, and intricate surface patterns from historic design books.
Always on the Hunt for More
I love discovering new vintage images, whether an overlooked botanical plate from a forgotten book or a rare Art Nouveau pattern hiding in an archive. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, let me know! I’m always happy to go digging and add it to the growing collection if it fits the site’s theme. Just send me an email—I might be able to track it down for you.
Join the Adventure
Picture Box Blue celebrates the beauty of historical art and design. Whether you’re here to find unique prints for your home, inspiration for creative projects, or to admire the artistry of the past, I hope you enjoy browsing through the collection as much as I enjoy curating it.
Oh, and if you love these images but prefer a ready-to-download, digitally enhanced version, I’ve assembled a unique collection of some of the most popular prints in my Ko-Fi shop. The free downloads will always be available, but this is just a convenient option (and a little way to help support the site). I’ll be adding more images over time, so keep an eye out!
I also have a sister site, Pillar Box Blue, full of upcycling and crafts, some of which use vintage images.
Happy exploring!