About this artwork
A great bear walks across the middle of the sky, drawn in a single fine gold outline. Bright white stars mark the key points of the constellation, joined by gold lines, and the bowl-and-handle shape of the Big Dipper is woven into the bear's body and back. Its head, with a small rounded ear and snout, faces left.
On the left, the Milky Way rises in a soft column of dusty light, while a single radiant gold star shines at the upper right. The bottom of the composition is cushioned with clouds in gold-leaf texture, teal and blush pink. Gentle and storybook-like, this Ursa Major constellation print works as well in a child's room as in a study, and it makes a meaningful gift for anyone who loves bears, northern skies or the old stories written in the stars.
About Ursa Major
Ursa Major, Latin for Great Bear, is the third-largest constellation in the sky. Its seven brightest stars form the Big Dipper, known in Britain as the Plough — an asterism, or star pattern, rather than a constellation in its own right. The two stars at the end of the bowl, Dubhe and Merak, point towards Polaris, the North Star. From much of Europe, Canada and the northern United States, the Big Dipper never sets, wheeling around the pole all year.
How to style it
Charming above a cot or in a little one's room with soft neutrals, and equally at home in a cabin or study; pair it with the Orion design or the constellation star map for a constellation series. Explore the full Celestial Wall Art collection.
Choose your format
- Unframed Art Print on 250 gsm archival matte fine-art paper with a soft off-white tone. Ideal if you already have a frame.
- Natural Wood Frame with shatterproof acrylic glazing. Arrives assembled, ready to hang.
- Black Metal Frame, a slim matte-black aluminium frame with shatterproof acrylic glazing. Arrives assembled, ready to hang.
- Aluminium Print, printed directly onto a rigid 3 mm aluminium panel for a sleek, frameless look.
- Wood Print, printed directly onto a 2 cm wood panel for a warm, natural, gallery feel.
Sizes
Seven portrait sizes from 20 × 30 cm (8 × 12 in) to 50 × 70 cm (20 × 28 in). Not sure which one? Read our size guide.
Shipping
Free tracked shipping to most countries. Every print is made to order and produced close to you, in more than 30 countries across Europe, the UK, North America and Australia, which means shorter journeys and fewer surprises at the door. See shipping & returns.
Questions & answers
Is the Big Dipper the same as Ursa Major?
Not quite. The Big Dipper, or Plough, is the brightest part of Ursa Major — seven stars forming a bowl and handle. The full Great Bear constellation is much larger, which is why this design outlines a whole bear around those stars.
How do you find the North Star using the Big Dipper?
Follow the two stars at the outer edge of the bowl, Merak and Dubhe, upwards. Extend that line about five times the distance between them and you reach Polaris, the North Star, which sits almost directly above the North Pole.
Is a frame included?
Only if you choose a framed format. The Natural Wood Frame and Black Metal Frame options arrive assembled with acrylic glazing and are ready to hang. The Unframed Art Print arrives without a frame, and the Aluminium and Wood Prints need no frame at all.
Which size should I choose?
As a rule of thumb, choose art about two-thirds the width of the furniture beneath it. 50 × 70 cm makes a statement above a sofa or bed, 30 × 40 cm suits shelves, desks and gallery walls. Our size guide shows every size to scale.
How is my print made and shipped?
Each print is made to order for you, then shipped with tracking from a production partner close to your address. You receive the tracking link by email as soon as your order leaves production.
Specifications
| Format | Unframed Art Print, Natural Wood Frame, Black Metal Frame, Aluminium Print, Wood Print |
| Print Size | 20 × 30 cm / 8 × 12 in, 30 × 40 cm / 12 × 16 in, 30 × 45 cm / 12 × 18 in, 40 × 50 cm / 16 × 20 in, 40 × 60 cm / 16 × 24 in, 45 × 60 cm / 18 × 24 in, 50 × 70 cm / 20 × 28 in |
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