Orner le mur

Presented in the architecture cabinet, “Orner le mur” examines the rise of the decorative arts in the 19th century, when wallpapers, textiles and mural paintings transformed interior architecture and opened up a field of expression for artists. Driven by the mechanization of manufacturing processes during the 19th century, decoration became widely present in interiors. Wallpapers, stencil painting and upholstery fabrics democratized the ornamentation of domestic settings. Numerous manufactories emerged and offered an abundant production of patterns that kept pace with evolving tastes. Promoting a holistic conception of decoration, many artists embraced the possibilities offered by these techniques, which combined art and industry.

Cover: Tassinari & Chatel, Paul Poiret, Design for decorative fabric, circa 1910, Musée d'Orsay, Gift of Suzanne and Raphaël Tassinari, 2014, © Musée d’Orsay, RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt