Arthur et Robert

Standing at seven feet tall, this panel must have made quite an impression installed in a room. One of a pair, it was likely meant to mimic expensive decorative plasterwork. The image in the central medallion was painted in grisaille, a style that uses various shades of gray to create a three-dimensional effect.

The preservation of a wallpaper assemblage of this size can be a challenge. Many areas had been torn over the course of this paper’s lifetime. With the help of trained conservators, significant repairs were recently made, adding a new layer of history to this dramatic example.