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A wallpaper panel depicting a palatial courtyard framed by ornate blue and green drapery with stone archways, columns, and two lion statues flanking a cobblestone path.
View of Venice Wallpaper, ca. 1840. Mary B. Jackson Fund.

The Art of French Wallpaper Design

November 15, 2024 - May 11, 2025
A wallpaper panel depicting a palatial courtyard framed by ornate blue and green drapery with stone archways, columns, and two lion statues flanking a cobblestone path.
View of Venice Wallpaper, ca. 1840. Mary B. Jackson Fund.

Introduction

The Art of French Wallpaper Design explores the vibrant, surprising designs that adorned walls in the 1700s and 1800s. Featuring more than 100 rare samples of salvaged wallpapers, borders, fragments, and design drawings, this exhibition reveals the creative process and showcases the extraordinary technical skills involved in producing these works, presenting an invaluable resource for artists and enthusiasts alike.

This exhibition celebrates the vision and generosity of collectors Charles and Frances Wilson Huard, whose remarkable collection, assembled in the 1920s and ’30s, is now in the care of the RISD Museum. Accompanied by a comprehensive digital publication, The Art of French Wallpaper Design invites you to explore the remarkable innovation and craftsmanship of these historic pieces.

–Curated by Emily Banas, associate curator of decorative arts and design

Emily Banas, associate curator, decorative arts and design

Exhibition images

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Publications

  • Digital Publication

The Art of French Wallpaper Design

This publication discusses the history, making, and conservation of French wallpapers from the 1700s and 1800s, collected by Charles and Frances Wilson Huard and now in the care of the RISD Museum.

Videos

Video

A Walkthrough of Wallpaper

Video

The Making of Wallpaper

Video

Critical Encounters

Related Objects

Unknown Maker, European

Woodblock for Wallpaper
Vintage, classic segment of wallpaper with a blue and white paisley pattern organized in vertical columns. The design features a variety of flowers, with lush vines spiraling around them.

Atelier Boulard

Domino Paper (Papier Dominoté)

Unknown Maker, European

Woodblock for Wallpaper
Segment of vintage geometric wallpaper depicting a black and white gridded pattern featuring diamond shapes and circular motifs arranged in a precise, repeating design.

Atelier Boulard

Domino Paper (Papier Dominoté)
Segment of vintage wallpaper featuring a pattern of lush, oversized pink florals, peacocks, and classical architectural structures. The repeat design is set on a distressed beige background.

Unknown Maker, French

Flowers and Birds Wallpaper
Narrow panel of vintage wallpaper featuring a central figure with an animal in a garden scene, surrounded by botanical motifs in ivory. The design is against a light sky-blue backdrop.

Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

Hearing (L’Ouie) Wallpaper
Thin horizontal strip on a light background in blue featuring light blue diagonal striping and dark red edges. The surface has small amounts of damage across the surface.

Unknown Maker, French

Border
Aged, light brown wallpaper of repeating cubes stacked on top of each other each with a flower design on top made out of alternating green and white petals.

La Veuve Tissot et Sainte-Agathe

Domino Paper (Papier Dominoté)
  • More objects +

The Art of French Wallpaper Design

November 15, 2024 - May 11, 2025
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The Art of French Wallpaper Design

November 15, 2024 - May 11, 2025
Download Press Release pdf

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