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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

Gray decorative motif on top of an off white background. Three subtly shaded leaves sit over three grape clusters curving down to the left.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Green zig-zag border on a neutral backdrop featuring a pattern of black and white wavy lines and a bottom edge made up of repeated teardrop shapes accented with black dots.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Decorative border featuring curling red foliage and scrollwork on a black background. The red paint shows aging and there is white chipping in the center.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Horizontal strip featuring a repeating shaded diamond pattern with shaded circles in the center shades of orange between a pale upper stripe and a black lower stripe.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Ornamental border strip on a gray background featuring shaded small vertical stripes, symmetrical floral motifs and a beaded row along the bottom in shades of gray.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Decorative brown panel on a neutral backdrop featuring a green floral design with a fan-shaped center and flowing curves on either side.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Thin strip with repeating orange teardrop and floral ornamentation with white and green accents, interspersed with white vine and leaf linework against a light blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border

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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