What is the largest sharp print size for Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur)?

At 300 dpi, this 2,300 × 3,300 px file prints up to 7.7 × 11 in with gallery-sharp detail. At 150 dpi the file reaches 15.3 × 22 in, which is poster-sharp quality.

Which standard frame sizes give gallery-sharp prints of Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur)?

The best frame sizes for this file are 8 × 10 in, 11 × 14 in, 12 × 16 in, 16 × 20 in, printing at 150–299 dpi (poster- to sharp-quality).

Does printing Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur) require cropping the image?

Standard frame aspect ratios may not match this artwork exactly; depending on the size chosen, up to 13% of the image could be cropped. Most print-on-demand services let you adjust the crop position or add a white mat border instead.

Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur) — Ernst Haeckel | Free high-res download

Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur)

Ernst Haeckel · 1904 · Plate 8, Kunstformen der Natur

Public domain · $0.002,300 × 3,300 px · 7.6 MP

Prints gallery-sharp up to7.7 × 11 inat 300 dpi, uncropped · poster-sharp to 15.3 × 22 in at 150 dpi

The download is the original scan on Wikimedia Commons. Big file — give it a minute.

Build the wall set

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How big can you print it?

Standard frame sizes, turned to match the artwork. "Crops" is how much of the picture you lose filling that frame edge to edge — or keep it all and let a mat take up the difference.

Frame	Effective dpi	Verdict	Crops
8 × 10 in	287	Sharp up close	13%
11 × 14 in	209	Sharp up close	11%
12 × 16 in	191	Poster sharp	7%
16 × 20 in	143	Fine across a room	13%
18 × 24 in	127	Fine across a room	7%
24 × 36 in	91	Too soft	4%
30 × 40 in	76	Too soft	7%

Will it fit over your couch? Put this one on your wall, to scale — crop or mat, frame size, hang height and the order.

The ticket

Discomedusae (Kunstformen der Natur) is a print by Ernst Haeckel (German, Potsdam 1834–1919 Jena), dated 1904. Lithograph. Held by Plate 8, Kunstformen der Natur; the free scan comes from Wikimedia Commons.

From Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur, a set of one hundred plates drawn to show the geometry in living things. This plate shows jellyfish, but they look more like chandeliers, and designers of the period copied them heavily. Haeckel's science was sometimes dubious, though the drawing is superb. The image is tall and narrow, so check the crop guide before choosing a frame. A white mat suits it well.

The work is in the public domain, which means no permission, no fee and no credit line required. That file is 2,300 × 3,300 pixels — 7.6 megapixels — good for a gallery-sharp print up to 7.7 × 11 in. Line work lives or dies on contrast. Print it on a smooth, bright paper and give it a wide mat: small graphic work drowns in a thin frame and a big empty border makes it look like it came out of a print room drawer.

On the receipt

Artist: Ernst Haeckel
Date: 1904
Medium: Lithograph
Held by: Plate 8, Kunstformen der Natur
License: Public domain · Public Domain Mark
Source: Commons file page ↗