iconicon

Museum-Quality, Made Yours

A Guide To Finding & Printing Free Art

Email
Unique gift ideas that include a cocktail book created using Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Book Unique gift ideas that include a cocktail book created using Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Book

Personalizing our living spaces with captivating wall art is a journey of self-expression. Yet, the search for the perfect piece can feel daunting, particularly when cost becomes a concern. Enter the world of free art—a realm brimming with creative possibilities that fit any budget.

In today's digital age, sourcing mesmerizing visuals for your walls has never been easier. With a dash of resourcefulness and access to the vast expanse of the public domain, a treasure trove of imagery awaits discovery. Whether you're seeking canvas prints, striking wall murals, or gallery-worthy masterpieces, we've got you covered. From tips on navigating the digital labyrinth to recommendations for creating stunning wall galleries, let us be your guide to transforming your living space into a haven of creativity and expression. And the best part? Many of these resources offer free abstract art printables, downloadable art books, and high-resolution images, ensuring that your vision for your walls can become a reality without breaking the bank.


01

Royalty-Free Photography

Gallery wall with three Artifact Uprising frames
Pictured: METAL TABLETOP FRAME | GALLERY FRAME

Royalty-free photography sites are libraries of free images donated by professional photographers for personal or even commercial use. These digital treasure troves host a plethora of high-resolution images, perfect for printing and adorning your walls. (especially when put to paper in giclée quality!). From captivating landscapes to abstract masterpieces, there's something to suit every style and space.

The images on these sites are free of charge and legal to print, but you can still say thank you by sharing thanks on your social networks or even making a donation. After all, a small thank you is well worth a beautiful photo that brings artful intrigue to your walls. Get started on your journey with our curated list of favorite sites below, and bring a touch of artistry to your home decor effortlessly.

Unsplash →

Our pick for modern photography, filled with thousands of options.

Download

Photo by DAN CUTLER
Download

Photo by FRIDA LANNERSTROM


Dupe Photos →

A trendy library of free images shared by photographers. (Don't forget to tag them!)

Download

Photo by MADALYN LACKEY
Download

Photo by CORA PULSEY



02

Classic Art in the Public Domain

Gallery wall with three Artifact Uprising frames
Pictured: Modern Metal Frames

Several decor companies take classic works of art, print them, and sell them at high dollar. But what you might not know is that the same framed Monet print being sold for hundreds is a free download that can be printed completely legally. That means you can bring that Degas or Klimt you've always wanted home by simply printing and framing an image that's available for everyone.


What is public domain? As you peruse through these timeless works of past centuries, just make sure to look for those that are marked copyright-free or, more commonly, public domain. Works of art most often become public domain once their copyright expires or when an artist deliberately gives up or forgoes copyright.

The Met →

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, iconically nicknamed the Met, has made its archives available to the public.

low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Edgar Degas
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Henri de Toulouse
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Joseph Turner

The Getty →

Los Angeles' celebrated Getty Museum has also made thousands of public domain works available for a broad range of uses.

low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Simon Alexandre Clément Denis
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Tommaso del Mazza
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Alfred Sisley
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Théodore Rousseau
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Claude Monet

03

Free Poster Files

Gallery wall with three Artifact Uprising frames
Pictured: Large Format Print | Poster by LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

A well-designed poster print is a welcome addition to any at-home wall art collection. With a little bit of searching you can find some of the many free collections that pop up from time to time for digital download. One of our personal favorites is the Travel Poster Collection from The Library of Congress. You should have no trouble finding a frame thanks to the standard sizing of these posters!


04

From our Designers

Gallery wall with three Artifact Uprising frames

When it comes to filling our walls, we love mixing framed photography with art to create an elevated yet personalized look.

Still, we know finding eye-catching art that suits your style can be a difficult task. So as a little gift from us to you, we asked our Creative Team to create and curate art that you can enjoy as free downloadable prints.

These files are ready for print and pair perfectly with our Large Format Prints and our collection of custom Frames — designed to wow your walls.

Below is a sneak peek sharing the different designs — head to the link to download your dream gallery wall or coffee table book.

MODERN SHAPES
MINIMAL ILLUSTRATIONS
GEOMETRIC
PHOTOGRAPHIC ART
ABSTRACT TEXTURES
BOLD BOTANICS

05

Patterns, Textures, & Florals

Gallery wall with three Artifact Uprising frames
Pictured: Gallery Frame

A little bit of "wallpaper" can go a long way. And that's where patterns, textures, and florals can come in! Framing these little pockets of patterning creates unique dimension, serving as a beautiful accent that helps room decor and even other pieces in a gallery wall pop. Look to any of the sources we've listed above: each has its fair share of options. We're especially partial to florals (as if you couldn't tell!), so we're including a few favorites — just in case you love them as much as we do.

zoomed in photo of succulent by Erol Ahmed
Download

Martin Schongauer
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Clara Peeters
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

William Morris
low angle photo of Flatiron building by PixaSquare
Download

Odilon Redon

06

Filters

Pictured: EVERYDAY PRINT SET by @madisonjorg

It should be less than surprising that we still think your own photos are the best choice for your walls. After all, nothing can match the meaningful nature of the moments you love looking back on. Plus, using your own photos doesn't mean you can't still create some interesting visual effects. With the widespread availability of filters, it's simple to reinvent your photos in ways that bring a little something extra to your walls. From Instagram filters to Lightroom presets, VSCO presets, and beyond, there's no shortage of possibilities to create something truly unique from your own camera roll.


07

A Few Tips for Printing & Framing

Pictured: HARDCOVER PHOTO ALBUM

Once you've found the piece you want to put in print, it's time to make sure you're taking the simple steps that ensure a quality print.

Quality Makes All the Difference

Not every print is created equal. That's why our Large Format Prints and Framed Prints are always rendered in true-to-life, giclée quality — the standard for fine art printing. You can learn more about what makes our process so special in our guide to giclée printing.



Always Use the Highest Resolution

Many sites will give you options for the size of the image you're downloading. Always choose the largest and highest-resolution option. Then, make sure to open the file and confirm that the resolution is at least 150 dots per inch (300 is ideal). Check out our guide to enlarging photos if you don't know how!



Cropping Can Go A Long Way

Especially with classic works of arts that don't adhere to standardized dimensions, a little bit of cropping can go a long way in terms of avoiding the extra costs that can come with custom framing. In our editor, you'll be able to size, crop, and mat the image without much effort.

Don't Sweat It at Checkout

We always do our due diligence to make sure the photos we print belong to those who have the rights to print them. In fact, when you go to add your new frame or print to your cart, you'll see a message pop up asking you to confirm this. As long as the image you've chosen is copyright-free, you're safe to say "yes, they're mine!"



Pictured: Metal Tabletop Frames
DIY cocktail book on bar cart
Pictured: Floating Frame
DIY cocktail book on bar cart
Pictured: Large Format Print



Give it that gallery treatment.



Email