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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

Bright green cloud-like ornamentation enclosed by pale purple scrolls and arches. Thin purple vertical lines hang from thicker horizontal lines from the top. Set against a black background.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Border
Wallpaper featuring detailed mandalas made of leaf and foliage designs that transition from a muted orange, to sunny yellow, to a cool teal at the center.

Zuber & Cie

Irisé Wallpaper
A decorative crest featuring a white fan-shaped motif on a dark red background encased by golden swirls and bordered by green

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
Segment of wallpaper featuring a vibrant,idyllic scene of individuals wearing flowing garments in a lush garden with a trellis. Floral motifs surround the scene set against a blue backdrop.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper of Venus at Her Toilette
Horizontal blue decorative strip on a light background. Features white flowers and spiraling stem designs flowing to the left in repeat below a white stripe.

Unknown Maker, French

Border
Neoclassical frieze pattern featuring stylized carved structures decorated with acanthus leaves interspersed with geometric diamonds on an olive background. The objects give off the illusion that they’re 3D.

Unknown Maker, French

Diamond and Volute Wallpaper Border
Wallpaper section depicting mythological battles framed within ancient columns. The figures are done in warm sepia tones, while the columns and backdrop are done in muted jade green.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Dado
A circular yellow flower motif on a brown base, with radiating petals framed by looping details.

Unknown Maker, French

Wallpaper Fragment
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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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