Kohada Koheiji, from the series "One Hundred Ghost Tales (Hyaku monogatari)"Dig inKatsushika Hokusai 葛飾 北斎 (Japanese, 1760-1849), 1831-32Use for a Halloween sticker, book cover, or poster with a bold ghost motif that fits October gift and decor trends.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)The Mansion of the Plates (Sara yashiki), from the series "One Hundred Ghost Tales (Hyaku monogatari)"Dig inKatsushika Hokusai 葛飾 北斎 (Japanese, 1760-1849), 1831-32Use for Halloween wall art or a printable journal cover, with a strong single figure that adapts well to modern designs.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)A Bat Flying near a Pine TreeDig inIsshō Japanese, active 19th century, 19th centuryUse for a bat pattern, Halloween sticker set, or silhouette print, especially for October party decor and craft kits.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)Ichikawa Danjūrō V as a Skeleton, Spirit of the Renegade Monk Seigen, and Iwai Hanshirō IV as the Cherry Princess, in “Flower of Edo: An Ichikawa Saga” (Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga)Dig inKatsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 (Japanese, 1726-1792), c.1783Use for a Halloween poster or shirt graphic with a dramatic skeleton figure that suits spooky season merchandise.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)CendrillonDig inAdam Cuerden, 1899date QS:P571,+18Use for a spooky-season poster, sticker, or cover design, with bold typography and theatrical Halloween energy.Wikimedia CommonsPublic domainEight Immortals and Twelve Zodiac AnimalsDig inChina, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95), 1736–95Use for a zodiac animal pattern, calendar page, or educational printable tied to animal-themed gifts and late-year collecting.Cleveland Museum of ArtPublic domain (CC0)
Use the text for a Halloween-themed poetry booklet, a copywork journal, or a vintage-style illustrated companion edition.
More public domain picks
La Boheme poster by HohensteinDig inAdolfo Hohenstein, 1896Use this bold opera poster as a Halloween book cover or party print, with its fiery palette and dramatic lettering.Wikimedia CommonsPublic domainPaul Maurou - Poster for Edmond Audran's Gillette de NarbonneDig inAdam Cuerden, 1883Use this ornate stage poster as an October poster or scrapbook page, where its costume portraits suit theatrical Halloween styling.Wikimedia CommonsPublic domainSaints Bartholomew and SimonDig inMaster of Saint Francis, ca. 1272Use this medieval saint panel as a St. Francis of Assisi devotional print, icon, or prayer card for October observances.The MetPublic domain (Open Access)St. Francis of Assisi with Donors in a Historiated Initial from an Unidentified ManuscriptDig inItalian (Florence), c. 1400Use this manuscript-style saint image as a medieval-inspired sticker, bookmark, or illustrated book page for St. Francis celebrations.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)Saint Francis of Assisi Adoring the Virgin and ChildDig inDenys Calvaert Flemish, c. 1540-1619, 1607Use this devotional scene as a St. Francis greeting card or devotional print, with the mother-and-child focus fitting faith products.Art Institute of ChicagoPublic domain (CC0)Orpheus Charming the AnimalsDig inMarcantonio Raimondi, c. 1505Use this animal-charming scene as a wildlife print or classroom poster, and it also suits October nature-themed collections.Cleveland Museum of ArtPublic domain (CC0)Noah and the Animals Entering the ArkDig inGiovanni Benedetto Castiglione, 1650–55Use this ark scene as a family-friendly animal print or Bible story page, with many clear figures for makers to adapt.Cleveland Museum of ArtPublic domain (CC0)A Sleeping LeopardDig inGeorge Stubbs, 1791Use this sleeping leopard image as a bold animal poster or sticker, since the simple pose adapts well to pattern work.Cleveland Museum of ArtPublic domain (CC0)Animals and Plants: Leopard with Plants and InsectsDig inWenceslaus Hollar, 1662Use this leopard-and-plants sheet as a botanical animal print or wrapping paper design, ideal for autumn and safari trends.Cleveland Museum of ArtPublic domain (CC0)
