Perspective Representation of the Crystal Palace and Serpentine
Wallpaper
1853-1855 (made)
1853-1855 (made)
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| Place of origin |
Object Type
In Britain paper printed with patterns has been used for decorating walls since the 16th century. By the late 19th century wallpapers were widely used by all classes, in homes and also in public buildings.
Historical Associations
Pictorial wallpapers that commemorated historic events were popular novelties between 1850 and the 1890s. This example shows the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, the site of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Many wallpapers of this kind were included in the displays of British design and manufacture in the Exhibition.
Design & Designing
This wallpaper was one of several pictorial patterns chosen by Henry Cole (1808-1882) for a display illustrating 'False Principles of Design' at the Museum of Ornamental Art in 1853. Cole was a leading critic of contemporary design in the decorative arts. He hoped to educate the taste of the public and of manufacturers by showing some of the worst examples and explaining their faults. However, papers of this kind continued to be produced for many years.
In Britain paper printed with patterns has been used for decorating walls since the 16th century. By the late 19th century wallpapers were widely used by all classes, in homes and also in public buildings.
Historical Associations
Pictorial wallpapers that commemorated historic events were popular novelties between 1850 and the 1890s. This example shows the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, the site of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Many wallpapers of this kind were included in the displays of British design and manufacture in the Exhibition.
Design & Designing
This wallpaper was one of several pictorial patterns chosen by Henry Cole (1808-1882) for a display illustrating 'False Principles of Design' at the Museum of Ornamental Art in 1853. Cole was a leading critic of contemporary design in the decorative arts. He hoped to educate the taste of the public and of manufacturers by showing some of the worst examples and explaining their faults. However, papers of this kind continued to be produced for many years.
Object details
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| Materials and techniques | Colour machine print, on paper |
| Brief description | 'False Principle no 28'; Panel of wallpaper depicting the Crystal Palace as seen through a garden archway, with flights of steps and architectural framework, with falsified perspective; Colour machine print, on paper; Used to demonstrate 'False Principles of Design' at the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, London; English; 1853-1855. |
| Physical description | Panel of wallpaper depicting the Crystal Palace as seen through a garden archway, with flights of steps and architectural framework, with falsified perspective; Colour machine print, on paper. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This was one of six pictorial wallpapers used to demonstrate 'False Principles of Design' at the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, London. It is described in the catalogue to the collection, issued by the Department of Science and Art, as 'Perspective representation of the Crystal Palace and Serpentine; with flights of steps and architectural framework'. It was included as an example of poor design because it falsified the perspective. This paper was, however, seen by manufacturers as a demonstration of their technical skill. It was printed in eight colours with great accuracy and complexity. |
| Subjects depicted | |
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| Summary | Object Type In Britain paper printed with patterns has been used for decorating walls since the 16th century. By the late 19th century wallpapers were widely used by all classes, in homes and also in public buildings. Historical Associations Pictorial wallpapers that commemorated historic events were popular novelties between 1850 and the 1890s. This example shows the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, the site of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Many wallpapers of this kind were included in the displays of British design and manufacture in the Exhibition. Design & Designing This wallpaper was one of several pictorial patterns chosen by Henry Cole (1808-1882) for a display illustrating 'False Principles of Design' at the Museum of Ornamental Art in 1853. Cole was a leading critic of contemporary design in the decorative arts. He hoped to educate the taste of the public and of manufacturers by showing some of the worst examples and explaining their faults. However, papers of this kind continued to be produced for many years. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.158-1934 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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