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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

A thin gold top layer with leafy arches sitting upon a wider blue floral section interspersed with diagonal gold bands and gold emblems with florals.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Stylized gray flower motif cutout on a neutral background featuring a cluster of dots above a curved base.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Central white flower surrounded by white and gray floral ornamentation and bordered by white stripes set against a blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Flocked Wallpaper Border
A light gray ornament, featuring a symmetrical leaf pattern above a floral design with curled accents.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
A horizontal decorative gray border with a repeating leaf pattern flanked by circular floral motifs with green centers, and a row of small dots along the top.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Stylized decorative motif cutout on a neutral background featuring a silver leaf curving to the left.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Decorative border on a gray background. With a beaded row above overlapping rounded rectangular shapes that have a prominent central leaf motif in layered shades of gray.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Thin strip with floral patterns in green, blue, pink, and yellow, with swirling vines and leaves on a light cream background.

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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