Critical Encounters – New Approaches in the Art of Wallpaper

The wallpapers on view in The Art of French Wallpaper Design once brought rooms to life with lush landscapes, imagined architecture, and vibrant patterns. The exhibition explores the history of design, production, and use of wallpapers using the extraordinary Huard Collection of wallpapers, which the museum acquired in 1934. Each example was produced between 1770 and 1840 and reflects hundreds of hours of collaborative effort by designers, woodblock carvers, and printers. These rare samples have been in the museum’s care for almost a century, but their stories and significance have not always been understood.

Just as their histories have been brought to life through the exhibition, scholars, artists, and conservators are uncovering new information and ways of working with historic wallpapers. Hear from art historians, printmakers, and conservators about the approaches they are taking in the research, care, and making of wallpapers.

Free with admission. Museum members and artists members, along with college & university member institutions’ students, faculty, and staff always receive free admission. Check for your college here.
Registration required. Space is limited.

This program is supported by The Ethel S. Lerner Endowed Fund and the Decorative Arts Trust.

10:00-10:15 am  Check-in
10:15-10:45 am  Introduction, Emily Banas, Curator of The Art of French Wallpaper Design
10:45-11:45 am  Presentation, Dr. Astrid Wegener, Director of the German Wallpaper Museum, part of Hessen Kassel Heritage
11:45 am-1:15 pm  Break for lunch on your own
1:15-2:00 pm  Présentation, Armandine Malbois, PhD candidate at the École du Louvre
2:00-2:45 pm  Presentation, Deborah LaCamera and Lorraine Bigrigg, Partners and Senior Conservators, Studio TKM Associates
2:45-3:15 pm  Presentation, Steve Larson, Co-founder, Adelphi Paper Hangings
3:15-3:30 pm  Break
3:30-4:30 pm  Visit Printing Wallpaper: Conversations and Demonstrations with RISD Professor Andrew Raftery and students in his course, Printed Walls: Wallpaper Design, Technique, and History.
              Visit the exhibition The Art of French Wallpaper Design
5:00 pm  Museum closes