The Art of Wallpaper

I have always been enamored with these amazing antique block print wallpapers. Aside from the design aspect, I find it interesting in that most of these wallpaper scenes examine the new discoveries and beauties of an unknown world full of promise... either in botany or geography. The Musee du Papier Peint, where the first four images are from, has a nice collection and fantastic list of useful links.

The Port of Boston (below) is from "Scenic America" and was designed by Jean-Julien Deltil for Jean Zuber & Cie in 1834. Block-printed. It is still printed by Zuber and Co.




Niagara Falls scenic wallpaper. Designed by Jean Julien Deltil. Printed byJean Zuber & Cie in 1834. Block-printed. It is still printed by Zuber & Cie.

The French in Egypt (below )was designed by Jean Julien Deltil, Velay, Paris, 1818. Block-printed.



Eldorado Wallpaper (below) was Designed by Eugéne Ehrmann, Georges Zipélius and Joseph FuchsJean Zuber & Cie, Rixheim, 1849Block-printed. This scenic is still printed by Zuber & Cie.

These last three wallpapers are from the Museum of Alsace.

"Fêtes du roi aux Champs-Élysées" : la distribution gratuite de vin. Made by Velay, Paris, in 1825, after a book by Léopold Boilly. Impression à la planche. Ancienne Collection Follot, Paris. D. Giannelli, Musée du Papier Peint ©, 2008

I love the vivid color in these last two wallpapers and the classic Greco-Roman imagery.

A drapery motif wallpaper. Made in France about 1800-1810. Impression à la planche. (Block-print) by D. Giannelli, Musée du Papier Peint ©, 2008

Another drapery motif wallpaper. Made by Joseph Dufour, D. Giannelli, Musée du Papier Peint ©, 2008