EXHIBITION "SCHÖNER SCHEIN:
LUXURY WALLPAPERS FROM THE PARISIAN MANUFACTORY PAUL BALIN"
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The products of Paul Balin's (1832–1898) wallpaper manufactory caused a sensation at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair. His luxurious wallpapers caught the attention of visitors and the judging panel with their craftsmanship and skill in imitating expensive materials. Through various patented printing techniques, Paul Balin succeeded in transforming paper to resemble ceramic tiles, silk, brocade velvet, and gilded leather.
Even today, Paul Balin's wallpapers can be found in 19th-century aristocratic palaces, upper-middle-class homes, and artists' residences. His faithful reproduction of historical models made Paul Balin a prominent representative of historicism. Balin tirelessly perfected his production processes and pursued competitors who adopted his invented techniques with the same relentless zeal. When his business faced economic collapse, the artist tragically decided to end his own life. The exhibition at the German Wallpaper Museum was the first to examine Paul Balin's work and the widespread impact of his luxury products. The exhibition was based on the rich collection of the German Wallpaper Museum and numerous loaned pieces. In addition to wallpapers, the exhibition featured furniture and ceramics exhibited at the Vienna World's Fair, as well as the models used in the production of Paul Balin's wallpapers – illustrations, drawings, and pattern books – from the German Wallpaper Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and several other European decorative arts collections |
Curator: Dr. Astrid Wegener
Organization: Dr. Astrid, Wegener, Katrin Prinz Collection manager: Ulrike Plath Conservation of exhibits: Anne Becker (ceramics), Julia Dummer (textiles), Carola Klinzmann (furniture), Ronald Reinke (bindings and graphical art), Kadri Kallaste ja Gabrielle Decrion-Lanta (wallpapers). See more: Luxustapeten von Paul Balin (YouTube) Director of the German Wallpaper Museum, Dr. Astrid Wegener`s introduction to the exhibition. |
