The art of French wallpaper design showcased at RISD Museum

A historic wallpaper collection unveils centuries of French craftsmanship.

Wallpaper featuring birds and flowers, circa 1770. © RISD Museum

By Novanka Laras and Adelina Indah

The RISD Museum’s latest exhibit, The Art of French Wallpaper Design, offers a captivating look at the history and artistry of French wallpaper. With over 100 remnants and designs on display, the exhibition draws from a larger collection acquired in 1934 by the museum. These pieces, dating from 1770 to 1840, reveal the craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural significance of wallpaper as an art form.

The exhibit begins with a quote from midcentury decorator Michael Greer, whose 1962 book Inside Design highlights the enduring appeal of wallpaper: “No other decorative device or object can accomplish so much per dollar as wallpaper.” Greer championed wallpaper for its transformative ability, calling it “rare among the world’s imitations because it often turns out more interesting than the marble, wood, scenic vistas, flowers, fabric, or architectural elements it imitates.” His sentiment resonates throughout the exhibit, where wallpaper is elevated to an art form worthy of framing and display.

Wallpaper featuring arabesques, cupids, and landscapes, circa 1780. © RISD Museum

The centerpiece of the RISD Museum’s exhibition is the Huard Collection, a trove of more than 500 wallpapers acquired from French artist Charles Huard and his American-born wife, writer Frances Wilson Huard. After World War I, the Huards became captivated by France’s historic wallpapers. Their passion coincided with a growing demand among wealthy Americans eager to bring French culture into their homes. Partnering with American decorator Nancy Vincent McClelland, the Huards sourced wallpapers for sale while amassing their own collection, which included pieces from old walls and unused rolls.

The exhibit showcases the meticulous craftsmanship behind these wallpapers, many of which were created using the labor-intensive woodblock printing process. Emily Banas, the museum’s associate curator of decorative arts and design, notes in the exhibit’s introductory text that each piece represents “hundreds of hours of collaborative effort by designers, wood-block carvers, and printers.”

Woodblock for wallpaper, circa 1775–1850. © RISD Museum

Visitors are greeted by a video that documents the painstaking process of recreating a 1799 design by Manufacture Bon. Modern artisans at Adelphi Paper Hangings demonstrate how woodblock printing creates intricate patterns, such as the repeating abstract motif of a classical torch. Rendered in tangerine, coral, pale blue, and black on a cocoa background, the design exemplifies the timeless appeal of French wallpaper.

The exhibition is divided into five sections, each exploring different aspects of wallpaper design and production.

• Designing Wallpaper: This section features 17 preliminary drawings, including small-scale sketches and full-sized designs in gouache, watercolor, and tempera. These works reveal the creativity and precision involved in conceptualizing wallpaper patterns.
• Early Wallpapers: Visitors can view six examples of Domino paper, simple block-printed designs with black outlines and a single color. Initially used for walls, these sheets later became popular for book covers and cabinet linings as wallpaper production evolved.
• Repeating Patterns: This section showcases 35 samples that highlight the influence of historical and cultural trends. Mythological scenes, First Empire motifs, and exotic imagery transport viewers to a time when archaeological discoveries in Rome and Egypt inspired artistic revivals. The vibrant patterns capture the imagination, blending cultural influences with artistic innovation.

One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition is its exploration of dimensionality in wallpaper design. The section titled Assemblages reveals how wallpapers achieved depth through shading and layering. Stately borders, faux architectural elements, and trompe l’oeil effects added further complexity.

Antique figure of a young woman (Figure à L’Antique de Jeune Femme), wallpaper overdoor panel (Dessus de Porte), 1799. © RISD Museum

For example, a 7-foot-tall panel from 1785 by Arthur et Robert mimics plasterwork with its intricate arabesques framed in rectilinear beading. This illusionary effect transforms the two-dimensional surface into a dynamic visual experience.

The Huard Collection also includes Chinese wallpapers, which played a significant role in influencing Western design. A hand-painted panel from 1770, featuring birds in a lush garden, exemplifies the exquisite artistry of Chinese wallpaper. Despite its age and visible wear, the piece stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of chinoiserie.

Adjacent to this panel is a French wallpaper from the same period, “Flowers and Birds.” Although less refined, its bold colors and vibrant energy illustrate the cross-cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western decorative arts.

Wallpaper border, circa 1800. © RISD Museum

The exhibit’s centerpiece is a set of panels by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, one of France’s most renowned wallpaper manufacturers. Created around 1780, the panels depict “Sight,” “Smell,” and “Hearing” from a series titled The Five Senses. Their restrained palette of ivory, beige, and brown contrasts with the elaborate wheat sprays and swags that frame each scene, demonstrating the balance between elegance and extravagance in French wallpaper design.

The section Repair emphasizes the delicate nature of historic wallpapers. These artifacts, often subject to fading, wrinkles, and damage, require careful restoration to preserve their beauty. The RISD Museum’s commitment to conserving these pieces ensures that future generations can appreciate their artistry and historical value.

Wallpaper depicting an antique statue with a drapery border, circa 1805. © RISD Museum

The Art of French Wallpaper Design is more than an exhibition; it’s a celebration of the ingenuity and craftsmanship that transformed wallpaper into a cultural icon. From its role in reflecting historical trends to its ability to evoke imagination and wonder, French wallpaper remains a powerful expression of artistic creativity.

As visitors explore the exhibit, they are reminded of Michael Greer’s assertion that wallpaper is not merely decorative—it’s a medium of artistic innovation that deserves recognition and admiration. Whether framing fragments as art or marveling at entire panels, the RISD Museum invites us to see wallpaper in a new light, appreciating its role as both a historical artifact and a timeless form of design.

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