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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

Monochromatic floral design featuring scattered black flowers and swirling vines with intricate lace sketches on aged paper.

Unknown Maker, French

Design Drawing for Wallpaper
Neoclassical frieze with a central oval medallion depicting a reclining woman and a cupid flanked by columns, rosettes, and acanthus leaves in a monochromatic sepia color scheme.

Jacquemart et Bénard

Wallpaper Dado Cupid and Psyche
Decorative frieze featuring scenes within semi-circles surrounded by flowers alternating with bronze winged figures holding up urns. The color palette is a subdued mint, pink, bronze, and cream.

Jacquemart et Bénard

Wallpaper Frieze Psyche and Love
Wallpaper design depicting a branch with various leaves with textured patterns in washy gray, blue, and green tones.

Unknown Maker, French

Design for Wallpaper Border
No Image Available

Desfossé & Karth

Wallpaper
Striped turquoise wallpaper with geometric patterning and three vases: one holding flowers, one with mirrored orange and black feathers on top and bottom, and a yellow and brown cylindrical vase.

Unknown Maker, French

Flocked Wallpaper Border
Aged, gray wallpaper with orange and black floral borders, and two vases in the center, one with birds as handles and the other with winged women sitting on its mouth.

Dusserre & Cie

Wallpaper Frieze
Ornamental design of a vase in dark grays and blues with light highlights above a background split by a black dotted line, blue and black below and gray on top.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper
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The Art of French Wallpaper Design

November 15, 2024 - May 11, 2025
Download Checklist pdf

The Art of French Wallpaper Design

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

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