Blueprint art is an art category that reveals building plans for buildings, ships, cities, and other man-made structures. Although considered a subcategory of map art, blueprint images show more detail and stylistic elements of their subject. Many of these prints reveal architecture plans for cities, buildings, and other urban elements that are of interest both stylistically and historically.
The majority of blueprint art are urban development images. These works show the plans and subsequent growth of cities. One example of these types of map art can be seen in the print, 'Plan de la Ville de Paris, 1715' by Nicolas De Fer. However, images of other major urban centers around the world are also commonly depicted.
Many building prints are created from blueprint art. These works serve to either illustrate the building process or to educate the viewer concerning elements of the larger structure. These blueprint images are generally sketch-like, as seen in the urban development print, 'Golden Gate' by Avery Tillman, although some of them are actually photographs of specific design elements, as seen in the architecture plan photograph, 'Architectural Detail IV' by Boyce Watt.
Blueprint art doesn't only show buildings or cities however. Images of ship blueprint art, like 'Titanic Deck Plan' also offer valuable historic insight into these structures. Additionally, blueprints of other man-made designs are available to modern art audiences, such as the blueprint image, 'Small Garden Maze III (P)' by J. F. Blondel.