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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

Related Objects

Elegant and botanical border design of floral swags hanging from wheat sheaves against a patterned sage green backdrop. Ornamental patterns line the bottom trim of the design.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Brown wallpaper with alternate facing triangles repeated horizontally and vertically throughout. The upwards triangle is made of orange and blue blotchy lines  and downwards triangle out of jagged horizontal lines

Manufacture Bon

Wallpaper
Brown-toned landscape painting with a large pillared archway in front of a fenced lawn containing plants and several sitting and standing figures sprawled throughout, all against a blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Gardens of the Palais Royal (Jardin du Palais Royal) Wallpaper
Wallpaper fragment of a gold pineapple motif with floral and leaf patterned linework set against a deep blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Design for a Wallpaper Border
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
  • 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

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