PRESERVING A ZUBER MASTERPIECE
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Zuber's Eldorado Installed by Fouassier at the Mulhouse Beaux Arts Museum
A significant installation of Zuber's iconic Eldorado wallpaper has been completed by Fouassier at the Mulhouse Beaux Arts Museum to mark the 800th anniversary of Mulhouse, highlighting one of France's most extraordinary living heritage traditions.
Renowned wallpaper conservator and installer Arnaud Fouassier, assisted by his colleague Audric Gaggero, carried out the meticulous installation of the panoramic Zuber wallpaper, first mounting the panels onto canvas before carefully positioning them on the museum walls.
To preserve provenance and authenticity for future generations, the original Zuber labels at the base of each panel were preserved for display.
The installation serves not only as a visual centrepiece for the anniversary celebrations, but also as a demonstration of the exceptional craftsmanship that has defined Zuber for more than two centuries. Visitors can appreciate both the artistic beauty of Eldorado and the remarkable hand-printing techniques used to create this wallpaper masterpiece.
Founded in 1790, Zuber is the world's oldest wallpaper manufacturer and continues to produce wallpapers using traditional hand-carved wood blocks and hand-printing methods. These techniques, largely unchanged over generations, represent an irreplaceable part of French cultural heritage and craftsmanship.
The project received the personal approval of Mr. and Mrs. Zuber, as well as Émile Intondi, internationally recognised Zuber expert, former head of Zuber et Cie, and current President of the Musée du Papier Peint de Rixheim. Intondi's involvement is especially significant as he personally trained Arnaud Fouassier in the specialist knowledge and techniques required to conserve and install historic wallpapers.
"This installation is about much more than displaying a beautiful wallpaper," says Fouassier. "It is about preserving knowledge, respecting traditional craftsmanship, and ensuring that future generations can understand and appreciate the extraordinary skills behind these works."
The installation of Eldorado stands as a testament to the importance of heritage conservation, the transmission of specialist knowledge, and the enduring relevance of traditional techniques.
As Mulhouse celebrates 800 years of history, the story of Zuber - and the artisans who continue to safeguard its legacy - offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with a living chapter of French decorative arts heritage.
Fouassier and the Zuber Family
Arnaud Fouassier is a specialist installer of Zuber wallpapers, having apprenticed with former head of Zuber, Émile Intondi, now the President of the Musée du Papier Peint de Rixheim and has had the honour of installing Zuber wallpapers in the homes of several members of the Zuber family.
About Zuber et Cie
Zuber et Cie was founded in 1790, and established in Rixheim, Mulhouse, in France in 1797 and still prints today, making it the oldest wallpaper factory still in operation.
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Zuber has created an incredible archive as, since 1790, they have preserved examples of each design, with the collection now totalling around 130,000 documents.
Today, Zuber still uses the same traditional hand-crafted techniques it has used since 1790, primarily block printing on hand-brushed wood. Zuber has 150,000 original antique blocks, now classified as Historical Monuments.
Other traditional hand-crafted techniques used by Zuber include printing stripes using a trough, brushing iridescent backgrounds, embossing or repoussé, and velveting or tontisse.
Zuber, which was acquired by Maison Pierre Frey in 2023, is world-renowned for its panoramic wallpapers. The first panoramic wallpaper Vues de Suisse, was designed in 1804 by Pierre Mongin. Since then, Zuber's panoramic scenic wallpapers have adorned the walls of many famous houses including the White House where Vues d’Amérique du Nord, created in 1834, was given to Jacqueline Kennedy for the Diplomatic Reception Room.
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