They say a picture is worth a thousand words. At Ikonographia, we tell stories through the power of images, graphics and beyond. From a love story told through countless postcards to undiscovered archives of companies like Bugatti and Bburago.
It all started from a passion for vintage advertisements. The striking illustrations, the captivating messages, the history seeping through the pages of yellowed magazines were always fascinating. From there, the idea of Ikonographia was born. It later evolved to include photographs, prints, posters and vintage memorabilia to become a curated collection of stories through images across the ages, surrounded by all available context, including historical background and transcripts.
Ikonographia archive provides a unique lens into American and international popular culture showcasing the work from the greatest or less known illustrators, photographers, designers, with a focus on the 20th-century advertisement.
With images being at the heart of Ikonographia, we care deeply about their quality. Images are either original photos, reproductions from original prints, or sophisticated restorations of existing digital files. Most images, along with memorabilia, are available for purchase.
Join us on this journey to discover the remarkable stories behind everyday images, objects, and experiences.
The three sections of the Shop
High-quality digital files, taken from the original prints or digitally remastered from existing digital files. Most images are in the public domain. Please read the “Right Advisory” tab on the pages.
A collection of quality and exclusive royalty-free photographs. Some of them are limited to personal or editorial use. Please read the “License/Term of use” tab on the pages.
Original vintage memorabilia from the personal archive of Roberto Bigano, Bburago’s photographer from 1991 to 2000, including the stunning and scarce MMonza Diorama Garages.