Wallpaper "Zeus fed by the goat amalthée", Empire period

Empire period wallpaper with mythological subject depicting Zeus being fed by the goat Amalthée. The painting was inspired by Ovid's Fastes, in which several mythological tales are told. Here, we are presented with the story of the son of Chronos, Zeus, saved by his mother Rhea by being deposited on Mount Ida and fed by a naiad's goat, Amalthée . The young Zeus is depicted feeding on the milk of the goat enthroned majestically in the center of the painting. Around this central scene, five naiads are busy helping the goat by feeding it flowers and plants. The four-sheet wallpaper is laminated to a composite wood panel and framed by a cream lacquered wood frame. This Empire wallpaper is a fine example of the popularity of this technique in the 19th century. Indeed, wallpaper was less expensive than painted woodwork, making it easier to integrate into the interiors of the wealthy bourgeoisie.

How wallpaper is made

First of all, a sketch is made either by the factory's workshop or by an independent designer. Once the sketch has been approved by the factory, the design is passed on to the industrial designers, who adapt it to the specific printing process. It is they who establish the color scheme, break down the motif according to it, and carry out the engraving measurements. Finally, the motif is printed; here again, several printing techniques are possible: intaglio, woodblock, cylinder, frame, stencil, hand-painted parts...

Circa: 1810

Dim: L: 118cm, P: 7cm, H: 90cm.
Dim: W: 46,5in, D: 2,8in, H: 35,4in.

Condition report: A few small chips and dings to the paper, lower left.