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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

Jacquemart et Bénard

Wallpaper Dado Cupid and Psyche
Light blue wallpaper filled with different red, pink and yellow flowers on a singular winding branch. Tiny blue and green flower buds and petals surround the branch.

Joseph-Laurent Malaine

Floral Wallpaper
Aged, cream wallpaper with landscape paintings, in the top and center, which have white column borders and swirled linework which extends out to the corners and intersects blue stemmed flowers.

Dufour et Leroy

Arabesques and Landscape Wallpaper
Ornate trophy monument consisting of a female bust, musical instruments, a basket with sickles, an assortment of vases and bowls, and twisting vines all set atop an ornamental marble base.

Xavier Mader

Trophy with Bust of a Woman Wallpaper
A teardrop-shaped motif with orange flowers with light green stems bordered by orange dotted patterns and white scrolls on a dark background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
A monochromatic blue design with a central torch surrounded by two swans facing outwards holding beaded chains, set against a muted gray-purple background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper
Ornamental border on a neutral background with a black upper section and teal lower section which features a circle between symmetrical curved flourishes, with a dotted line below.

Unknown Maker, French

Border
Segment of vintage wallpaper featuring a pattern of romanticized architectural scenes with ruins, bridges, and florals on a weathered background. Botanical motifs are scattered throughout the blue and pink design.

Jean-Baptiste Huet

Wallpaper
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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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