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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 decorative brown panel featuring a symmetrical white floral design with curved leaves and geometric patterns.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Scuffed wallpaper with multiple turquoise and brown-toned  jagged zigzag lines layered and repeated on top of a brown muted background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Imitating Fabric
Aged, gray wallpaper with orange and black floral borders, and two vases in the center, one with birds as handles and the other with winged women sitting on its mouth.

Dusserre & Cie

Wallpaper Frieze
Ornate golden wave pattern with a central flora; motif on a deep red brown background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Visibly aged and yellowed vintage floral wallpaper depicting bouquets, classical profiles within medallions, and twisting ribbons in a desaturated pink and blue color scheme on a cream background.

Ferrouillat et Cie

Arabesque and Flowers Wallpaper
Light blue wallpaper with repeating motifs of peach floral bouquets in gold urns and  two birds in a columned archway. White wreaths and pink embellishments surround and top the archway.

Ferrouillat et Cie

Flowers and Doves (Fleurs et Colombes) Wallpaper
Decorative black border design on a light background featuring repeating triangular geometric motifs in blue with orange outlines, bordered by thin white lines.

Unknown Maker, French

Border
Narrow horizontal strip with a pattern of green geometric lines and symmetrical flowing curved lines accented by orange dots and borders with black edges.

Unknown Maker, French

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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