The Art of French Wallpaper Design Illustrates Trends, Artistry, and Skills at RISD Museum

Wallpaper has long been a reflection of the prevailing tastes and trends of the times. When a design falls out of favor, it is often removed or covered up, making it increasingly rare to find samples of historical wallpapers in good condition. This makes the RISD Museum’s esteemed Huard Collection a true cultural gem. One of the most significant of its kind in existence, the collection boasts hundreds of pieces from the 1920s and 1930s once belonging to French artist Charles Huard and his wife, American writer Frances Wilson Huard, which RISD purchased in 1934. More than 100 rare samples of salvaged wallpapers, borders, fragments, and design drawings from this collection are currently on display at The Art of French Wallpaper Design, at the Museum Galleries on North Main Street, through May 11.

Emily Banas, associate curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, says she wanted more than anything to showcase both the immense skill and artistic flair that defined French wallpaper in the 18th and 19th centuries. “My main goal in curating the show was to highlight stories of design, production and use,” she explains, “and to make clear the deep connections between printmaking and historical techniques for creating wallpaper.”

One of the most compelling aspects of the exhibition is the chance to explore the painstaking labor that went into creating each work of art. The process of producing wallpaper during this period was intensive, involving not just the work of a single artist, but rather a collaborative effort. Designers, woodblock carvers, and printers worked together using multiple wooden blocks – sometimes more than 100 – to create intricate and vibrant patterns and designs. Visitors will be awed by stunning floral motifs, mythological scenes, and geometric designs.

“We also have four original woodblocks on display,” says Banas, “artifacts that give viewers a sense of how artists were able to create this incredible level of detail, shading, and dimensionality hundreds of years ago.” While the exhibition highlights the historic significance of these wallpapers, it also challenges contemporary notions of design. Many of the patterns featured in the collection may surprise visitors with their modernity in geometric forms and vibrant colors that feel as relevant today as they did centuries ago.

The exhibition also features a comprehensive digital catalogue that provides deeper insight into the history and production of wallpaper during this time, with essays on the Huard Collection, the relationship between wallpaper and print history, and the delicate art of conservation. Additionally, the RISD Museum has partnered with New York-based Adelphi Paper Hangings to recreate a 1799 design using traditional woodblock printing techniques. An interactive video allows audiences to witness the steps required to create the pieces of historic art they are seeing today firsthand. For hours and admission, visit RISDMuseum.org. The museum is free on Thursday nights (5-8pm) and all day Sundays.