"La Constance" Wallpaper Fire Board
1790/95
Medium
Block-printed paper
Dimensions
79.7 × 106.7 cm (31 3/8 × 42 in.)
Classification
wallpaper
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
13618
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Applied Arts of Europe gallery, where we encounter *La Constance* Wallpaper Fire Board, a piece from around 1790–95. This block-printed paper panel, measuring 79.7 × 106.7 cm, served as a decorative firescreen—positioned in front of a hearth to shield walls from heat and sparks while adding elegance to domestic interiors. Its title, French for "The Constancy evokes themes of steadfastness, likely reflected in its repeating motifs, though the artist remains unknown. Crafted during the late neoclassical era amid the French Revolution's turbulence, this wallpaper exemplifies the e...
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...