The Fall of Icarus print by Andrew McCarthy
Last updated: 18 October 2026
The Fall of Icarus is Andrew McCarthy's photograph of a skydiver dropping in silhouette across the face of the sun, with its flares and sunspots in sharp detail. The Fall of Icarus print comes on Hahnemühle Photo Rag with a signed certificate of authenticity. McCarthy's shop, CosmicBackground, sells it from £69 for UK buyers, at 11 x 14in.
How The Fall of Icarus was made
McCarthy is an astrophotographer. In November 2025 he set up telescopes on Wilcox Playa, the state's largest dry lake bed, and his friend Gabriel C. Brown jumped from a small plane flying between the camera and the sun.
The plane had to sit in exactly the right line, and it took six passes before the jump that worked. McCarthy then stacked thousands of frames to sharpen the sun's surface. He told CNN that the successful attempt "was perfect".
The picture went round the world in late 2025, and the title nods to the Greek myth of the boy who flew too close to the sun.
Key facts
- Photographer: Andrew McCarthy
- Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag for the prints, and C-type Fuji paper for the acrylic and the largest pieces
- Certificate: signed and editioned certificate of authenticity with each piece
- In stock on 18 October 2026: 11 x 14in print, edition of 445, £69; the same framed in black with a white mount, £141; 24 x 30in print, edition of 500, £157; 50 x 62.5in print, edition of 25, £876
- Close-up version: a tighter crop of the same image, with the 24 x 30in print at £157 and an acrylic mount at £1,333
- Sold out: most 16 x 20in, 20 x 25in and 28 x 35in options
Who it suits
- Space fans: the sun's surface is the real subject, photographed through solar telescopes.
- Skydivers and adventure lovers: the figure falling across the sun is a real jump, not AI.
- Photography fans: the story of six attempts and thousands of stacked frames makes it a talking point.
For more presents for stargazers, see our gifts for space lovers guide.
The limits
Most of the mid-sized prints have sold out, so the choice is between a small 11 x 14in print and a large 24 x 30in one.
The 11 x 14in size is a US format and does not match a standard UK frame, which is why the £141 framed option is handy.
The popular sizes come in large editions of 445 and 500, so this is a print to enjoy rather than a rare one.
Delivery costs appear at checkout, and a parcel from the US can carry import charges.
Where to buy it in the UK
CosmicBackground, McCarthy's own shop, sells every size and shows prices in pounds for UK buyers. CNN's report on the shot covers how it came together.
The Fall of Icarus at CosmicBackground
FAQs
How much is The Fall of Icarus print in the UK?
From £69 for an 11 x 14in print, £141 framed, £157 at 24 x 30in and £876 at 50 x 62.5in.
Is the skydiver in The Fall of Icarus real?
Yes. Gabriel C. Brown jumped from a plane flying between McCarthy's telescopes and the sun over Arizona in November 2025.
Is the print signed?
Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity that is signed and editioned.
What paper is it printed on?
Hahnemühle Photo Rag for the standard prints, and C-type Fuji paper for the acrylic mounts and the largest size.
Does it come framed?
The 11 x 14in size is available framed in black with a white mount for £141. The other sizes are print only or acrylic.
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I checked the prices and stock on CosmicBackground on 18 October 2026.
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