Two Joined Panels: The Views of Lyon
First edition, 1821
Medium
Block-printed, color on paper
Dimensions
170.2 × 103.5 cm (67 × 40 3/4 in.); 186.7 × 116.9 × 3.9 cm (73 1/2 × 46 × 1 1/2 in.)
Classification
wallpaper
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
8499
Art Historical Context
Behold *Two Joined Panels: The Views of Lyon*, a captivating first-edition wallpaper from 1821, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe. This monumental piece, measuring over 170 cm tall when joined, showcases panoramic vistas of Lyon, France's industrious silk-weaving capital. Crafted as block-printed color on paper—a technique that involved carving intricate wooden blocks, inking them with vibrant hues, and pressing them onto sheets—this wallpaper transforms ordinary walls into immersive cityscapes, blending artistry with domestic luxury. In the ear...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...