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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

Flat wall detail featuring draped curtains that appear three-dimensional, laurel wreaths, decorative classical columns, and tassels, all in warm sepia tones.

Joseph Dufour et Cie

Wallpaper Frieze Simulating Plasterwork and Drapery
Floral pattern featuring red and blue flowers with green leaves interlocking with white floral patterns set against a beige background.

Unknown Maker, French

Design for Wallpaper
Narrow panel of vintage wallpaper featuring a central figure in a garden scene, surrounded by ornate ivory vase-like elements and botanical motifs. The design is set against a sky-blue backdrop.

Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

Sight (La Vüe) Wallpaper
Narrow panel of vintage wallpaper featuring a central figure carrying a vase in a garden scene, surrounded by botanical motifs in ivory. The design is set against a sky-blue backdrop.

Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

Smell (L’Odorat) Wallpaper
Tan wallpaper with repeating motifs of mythological statues standing on winged creatures with interlacing tails, and holding up colorful floral bouquets, which extend upwards to contain birds and landscape pendants.

Gilles-Paul Cauvet

Arabesque with Griffins Wallpaper
Border depicting bunched pink cloth bound by green rope, set against a gray background and a dark green base.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Textured alternating clusters of red flowers with yellow centers and leaves set against a light blue background.

Unknown Maker, French

Flocked Wallpaper Border
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.

Unknown Maker, French

View of Venice Wallpaper
  • 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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