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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

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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

Wrinkled and scuffed brown wallpaper of multiple white hydrangeas with white stems and white outlined green leaves going down the wallpaper’s center.

Unknown Maker, French

Design for Ornament
Ripped, black and white print of a lively Grecian town with luscious trees and figures sitting, socializing, and riding horseback throughout. An established town with a dam is behind them.

Joseph Dufour et Cie

Wallpaper Border with Italian Landscape
Wallpaper fragment depicting the base of a gold column with floral and scroll patterns, a rounded diagonally striped base and a rectangular foundation. Set against a light blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Column Base
Light blue wallpaper with alternating, repeating motifs of hexagon framed landscapes and a group of laying babies wrapped around pink ribbon, and holding teal marbles that surround the framed landscapes.

Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

Arabesques Cupids, and Landscapes Wallpaper
Pink flowers with leafy stalks growing out of a pink and black basket with a diamond shape medallion depicting an instrument. Bordered by leaves with a gray backdrop.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper
Alternating yellow flowers and blue foliage set above a pattern of repeating black and pink circles, against a light blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Classical, antique illustration of a laurel-crowned figure in Grecian draped robes of muted green and red holding a bronze vase against a blue background.

Monchablon

Antique Figure of a Young Woman (Figure à L’Antique de Jeune Femme) Wallpaper Overdoor Panel (Dessus de Porte)
Border depicting a ruffled pink and green ribbon wrapped with a green rope against a gray background and dark green base.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
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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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