This fine art print is based on a highly detailed original illustration exploring how European architecture gradually changes as the landscape and culture change. Rather than depicting one particular village, the drawing brings together a whole journey through Europe – from the Central European Alps towards the Italian coast.

At the mountain end of the scene, familiar timber-clad Alpine chalets dominate. As the journey moves south, the architecture begins to change, with timber giving way to stone and rendered buildings, some decorated with colourful painted murals. Further towards Italy, local stone and the unmistakable terracotta clay roof tiles become increasingly prominent.

Finally, as the landscape reaches the coast, the buildings become simpler in form but much more colourful. That colour is, of course, somewhat difficult to show in a monochrome drawing – but the shapes, textures and architectural character still tell the story.

The result is deliberately a little fanciful: one enormous European village, where different regions and architectural traditions flow naturally into one another. It is an illustration of how travel through Europe can reveal subtle changes in buildings, materials and styles, all within a relatively short distance.

Subject: Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Medium: Giclée 12-colour pigment inks that carry a lightfastness of 100 years.

Paper: Archival Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308 gsm - Matt Smooth paper.

Image sizes: 23.5x45cm

Paper sizes: Additional 2.5cm border all round

Limited print numbers: Yes, 25 of each

Framed: No

Original: No

Certificate of Authentication: Yes

Artist: Graham McKenzie-Smith