Aigles et chêne, papier peint. Antilopes, tigres, cactus et palmiers, bordure. 1897

This wallpaper design, by Maurice Pillard Verneuil, layers images of eagles and antelopes made using the technique of woodblock printing. The flat, graphic style and vibrant palette of the work speak to the Art Nouveau movement. Yet, we can also see references to historical styles, in particular ancient Egyptian art, popular during the colonial era. These influences are not limited to design alone, but extend to the materials and processes. Woodblock printing, in which a design is carved into a block of wood, inked, and then pressed onto paper, has a long history in both Eastern and Western traditions. Here, the design and printing processes were highly specialized, and the creation of wallpaper was often a collaborative process involving designers, engravers, printers, and colorists. By layering these different aesthetic styles and modes of production, Verneuil challenges the distinction between art and craft, placing great value on design and pattern-making.