Skip to main content

Main navigation

  • Visit
  • Exhibitions & Events
  • Art & Design
  • Give
  • Search

Visit Main Menu Block

  • Hours & Admission
  • Accessibility & Amenities
  • Tours & Group Visits
  • Visitor Guidelines

Exhibitions and Events Main Menu Block

  • Exhibitions
  • Events

Art and Design Main Menu Block

  • Collection
  • Collection Research
  • Past Exhibitions
  • Watch / Listen / Read

Footer Main

  • Become a Member
  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Rent the Museum
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

view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image
view exhibition image

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

Elaborate trophy tribute to Homer, with his bust prominently placed atop a classical pedestal, adorned with laurels, flanked by mythical griffins, and surrounded by instruments of poetry and knowledge.

Xavier Mader

Trophy with Bust of Homer Wallpaper

Unknown Maker, European

Woodblock for Wallpaper
Gray-toned print of a seafront with boats coming to shore and figures socializing next to stone railings, pillared monuments, and trees.Mountains and a city  are on the horizon.

Joseph Dufour et Cie

Wallpaper Border with Italian Landscape
Thin orange horizontal design on a white background featuring black ovals with white floral centers alternating with small gray radiating lines.

Unknown Maker, French

Border
Aged, blue and white vertically striped wallpaper with brown and green coiled ropes intersecting and draping on top of each other. Three pulleys hold the ropes in place.

Unknown Maker, French

Stripes and Tassels Wallpaper
Ornate floral design in pink and green surrounded by intricate graphite floral designs on aged paper.

Unknown Maker, French

Design Drawing for Wallpaper
Tall panel of vintage wallpaper featuring a diagonal pattern of bucolic pastoral and architectural scenes amidst lush blue florals on a pale pink background.

Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

Les Ilets Champetres Wallpaper
Wallpaper pattern of alternating grey and white floral medallions and rosettes within octagonal frames on a neutral beige background

Joseph Dufour et Cie

Ceiling Wallpaper (Papier Plafond)
  • More objects +

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

/

Download

Footer Main

  • Become a Member
  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Rent the Museum

Footer Main Navigation

  • Visit

    • Hours & Admission
    • Accessibility & Amenities
    • Tours & Group Visits
    • Visitor Guidelines
  • Art & Design

    • Collection Research
    • Collection
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Join / Give

    • Become a Member
    • Give
  • Exhibitions & Events

    • Exhibitions
    • Events
  • Watch / Listen / Read

    • The Latest
    • Publications
    • Articles
    • Audio & Video

Footer Secondary Navigation

  • Who We Are
  • Opportunities
  • Image Request
  • Press Office
  • Rent the Museum
  • Terms of Use
Tickets
Homepage
Go to the risd.edu homepage. This link will open in a new window.