Discomedusae – Jellyfish

This is the image many people picture when they think of Ernst Haeckel: jellyfish drifting through dark water, their domed bells glowing in pinks, golds and violets above long, trailing tentacles. The Discomedusae plate is one of the most beloved in his entire body of work, and it is easy to see why — the symmetry is hypnotic and the colours feel almost lit from within.

It belongs to Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature), the series of 100 lithographs in which Haeckel, the zoologist who introduced the word "ecology," elevated sea creatures to high ornament. His jellyfish studies in particular went on to influence Art Nouveau designers and even architecture, their flowing forms echoed in lamps, gates and façades around 1900.

On a wall, this print is pure atmosphere. Against a dark or richly coloured background it becomes a glowing focal point for a living room, bedroom or hallway, while on a white wall it reads as elegant and graphic. It is the natural centrepiece of a Haeckel gallery wall and a reliable favourite for anyone who loves the ocean.

Reproduced on museum-quality matte paper with deep, archival colour and a soft, non-reflective finish, available in 30×40, 50×70 and 70×100 cm, framed or unframed. The definitive piece of vintage jellyfish wall art.