Restored in 2021 with partial funding from the New Mexico Foundation’s Caldwell Foundation Fund.

Starting in the mid-18th century, the popularity of elegant wall coverings in printed and colored paper, known as papiers peints, spread throughout the homes of European nobles following the fashionable standard set by the French court of Queen Marie Antoinette.

The alcove bedchamber in Ca’ Rezzonico is a fascinating and precious example of Venetian rococo interior decoration that originated from the Palazzo Carminati at San Stae. A rare extant installation of this ephemeral art, it was most likely produced by the Remondini workshop of Bassano del Grappa, famed for their prints and wallpaper designs that were produced under the protection of the Venetian government. The design consists of a harmonious repetition of picturesque classical ruins, wild foliage, and small figures in a gray-on-gray palette with hints of blue, green and white, and is printed on finely ribbed paper.

The fragile 18th-century wallpaper exhibited several condition issues that required urgent treatment to prevent further deterioration. Numerous tears and unsightly previous repair attempts were visible, and the framing support had begun to warp. The entire surface was also coated with a thick layer of grime, which had made it vulnerable to insect infestation.

The wallpaper was removed from its frames for conservation and cleaning. It was lightly humidified to help it recover its original shape, and protective corner borders were added to safeguard it during reinstallation. The panels were relined, and any pictorial losses were carefully reintegrated through chromatic retouching.

Unidentified artist from the Remondini workshop of Bassano del Grappa
Wallpaper of Landscape Ruins
18th century, printed paper
Ca’ Rezzonico Museum, Alcove Bedroom

Ca’ Rezzonico Museum