Baudelaire, Les Fleurs du Mal – Typographic Portrait – Poster

A face takes shape through poetry. We created this typographic portrait from lines in Les Fleurs du Mal, layering each passage until light and shade formed a composed profile. Seen from across the room, you notice the shape; up close, the verse comes into focus. A monochrome palette lets the words carry the image while the silhouette stays clear. There’s a quiet whisper of French, too.

Variable line weights, close kerning and considered spacing create the shading, with fields of text working like charcoal and open spaces acting as highlights. It sits comfortably above a desk or beside a reading chair, pairing easily with oak, black metal or brass frames in a Kiwi home. Explore more designs in the complete Written Faces typographic collection if you’re drawn to the idea of literature creating its own portrait.

• Design notes: Fine layers of type create halftone depth and a clean, crisp outline.
• Atmosphere: Thoughtful and bookish, with a hint of nightfall.
• Colours: Deep black fading to ash grey against a clear background.
• Sizes: Available in a range of formats to suit your wall.

Careful printing keeps the verses sharp and readable without losing the balance of the composition. Choose a size, find a frame you like, and give the poems a quiet place on your wall.