PARIS COMPOSITE
THE PARIS COMPOSITE
A MONUMENTAL ILLUSTRATION OF PARIS
225 × 80cm,
Pen & ink on watercolour paper
2024-2026
The Paris Composite is my largest and most ambitious illustration to date. Created over more than two years, the drawing measures approximately 230 × 80 cm and brings together over 25 of Paris’s most iconic landmarks alongside more than 100 sculptures, monuments and historical figures into a single continuous composition. The artwork was designed so that it can also be divided into three individual sections while remaining complete as one panoramic illustration.
The concept grew from a desire to tell the story of Paris through its architecture. Rather than depicting a single location, the composition combines buildings from across the city to create a visual journey through centuries of French history. Landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe and the Conciergerie form the architectural framework, connected by rows of distinctive Parisian façades.
The historical narrative is inspired by the Three Estates of pre-Revolutionary France. Churches and religious monuments represent the First Estate, while locations associated with the monarchy and nobility reflect the Second. The Third Estate is represented through the city’s residential architecture together with figures whose achievements helped shape France, including Joan of Arc, Étienne Marcel, Voltaire and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Alongside these historical themes, the drawing celebrates Paris as a centre of art and culture. Monuments such as the Louvre, Palais Garnier and Pont Alexandre III are accompanied by celebrated sculptures including the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and The Thinker, bringing together many of the city’s greatest artistic treasures within a single composition.
Every architectural element was drawn by hand in ink, with the aim of rewarding close inspection through layers of historical detail. The completed illustration is both a celebration of Paris’s extraordinary architectural heritage and a visual tribute to the people, monuments and events that have shaped one of the world’s most influential cities.
THE PARIS COMPOSITE PRINTS
The Paris Composite Illustration is the culmination of more than two years of work, beginning in January 2024. Drawn entirely by hand in ink, the original artwork measures 225cm X 80cm and is drawn on 300gsm cold-pressed watercolour paper.
This highly detailed illustration brings together some of Paris's most iconic architecture and landmarks into a single panoramic composite illustration. Celebrating the character, history and heritage of the city through thousands of hours of meticulous drawing.
The Print Collection
The artwork will be released as a series of three fine art prints, each measuring 80cm × 80cm and produced on premium 250gsm fine art paper to ensure exceptional detail and quality.