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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

Ornamental design in brown with green accents on a neutral backdrop. Featuring an intricate vase with detailed faces for decoration on either side connected by a draped string of beads.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Decorative motif featuring a stylized wheat design with a large head and flowing, elongated leaves on a slim stalk in brown tones on a neutral background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Decorative motif in silver featuring leaves around a thin stalk surrounded by many small petals above a central circle and swirling shapes on top of a pale red gradient background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Decorative motif depicting a silver gray leaf with crisp rounded edges and highlighted veins on a neutral backdrop.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Thin horizontal strip in red on a white background featuring a repeating pattern of black circles connected by smaller dots bordered by a black stripe.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Horizontal design strip featuring a black pattern of repeating teardrops connected at the top to a stripe and alternating with dots on a lavender background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Horizontal green band on an neutral backdrop featuring a teal rhythmic pattern of circles, dots and interlocked lines and accented by red teardrop shapes.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Dark gray decorative motif cutout on a neutral background featuring detailing in a curved floral shape above a light gray five petalled flower.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
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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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