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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

Border depicting green and pink bunched fabric set against a gray background and dark green base.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Stylized lyre motif which is yellow in the top half and black in the bottom with detailing throughout. There is a sunburst emblem above the strings.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Symmetrical orange medallions reminiscent of mandalas arranged in a diagonal grid atop a psychedelic gradient of mint green and peach.

Zuber & Cie

Irisé Wallpaper

La Veuve Tissot et Sainte-Agathe

Domino Paper (Papier Dominoté)
Wallpaper fragment of pale pink floral designs arranged symmetrically on a yellowing, red background.

Unknown Maker, French

Design for Wallpaper
Tan, rectangular wallpaper with yellow molding along the top and various sized pink flowers surrounded by green leaves and yellow tassels overtop a brown floral pattern.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Decorative design featuring a gray basket of flowers flanked by black swirling designs on a blue background bordered by gray.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper
Border depicting a pink and teal wavy ribbon with white and light green highlights. Layered by a navy stripe and darker blue stripe against a teal background and black base.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
  • 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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