-
Wallpaper
A.W. Pugin, born 1812 - died 1852 - Enlarge image
Wallpaper
- Place of origin:
United Kingdom (made)
- Date:
ca. 1840-1844 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
A.W. Pugin, born 1812 - died 1852 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Colour print from woodblocks
- Credit Line:
Given by The Landmark Trust
- Museum number:
E.3654-2007
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case MB2B, shelf DR50, box DW7(ii)
This is one of five wallpaper samples from The Grange, in Ramsgate, Kent, the house designed by A.W.N. Pugin, the designer and architect, for himself. The house which was built in 1843-4, and the papers were designed around the same time.
This pattern is a dramatic design with heraldic motifs in roundels interspersed with diagonal bands, on a ground patterned with scrolling foliage, printed in bold colours. The design incorporates the initials AWP, the Pugin motto ‘en avant’ is repeated on the diagonal bands, and the black bird in the roundels comes from the Pugin arms. This design is characteristic of Pugin’s ‘medievalising’ style. The V&A holds the original design for this paper (D.1045-1908) which is inscribed “This part of Pattern [apparently referring to the foliage ground] white on Red for Dining Room / white on Blue for Drawing Room / light green on dark green for Mrs Pugin’s Room…”
The V&A has a number of Pugin’s wallpapers and designs, but these are of particular interest because Pugin designed them for his own home, and they were found in situ.
