Today, there is a revived interest in vintage and fine contemporary wallpapers. Following its first

appearance in the sixteenth century, in the form of domino papers - used to line the interiors

of boxes, chests, cabinets, and screens - wallpaper came into its own as an artistic medium at the end

of the eighteenth century and became a symbol of the refinement and excellence of the French

decorative arts. The scale and the character of these wallpapers, the complexity of their composition,

the quality of the engraving, the richness of the colors combined with the subtleties of the tones,

made it a mural art form in its own right, elevating it to the level of the finest printmaking.

Contemporary designers have assimilated this tradition, adapting it to new environments.

The motifs and patterns of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and of the art deco period, have

been integrated into the design-furnishings of modern interiors to harmonious effect - playing on the

volumes, colors, and materials, while also mixing styles in order to create original and stunning decors.

From venerable manufacturers such as Réveillon, Dufour, and Zuber, to contemporary artists like

Calder, Warhol, and Murakami, from Europe and America, to China and Japan, Wallpaper unveils

the complete history of an art form that is still very much alive today.