SET OF FIVE WALLPAPERS FROM THE "VIEWS OF NORTH AMERICA" SERIES BY THE ZUBER & CIE MANUFACTURER

A set of five panoramic wallpapers from the " Views of North America " ​​("Scenic America") series, designed by Jean-Julien Deltil and produced by the renowned Zuber & Cie . First printed in 1834, the series comprises 32 panels joined together to form a complete panoramic scene. It is considered one of the pinnacles of panoramic wallpaper art, both for its technique—block printing (1690 hand-carved blocks)—and for the richness of its compositions.

The series we have dates from the 19th century and consists of 5 of the 7 decorations (23 of the 32 strips) of the complete fresco.

Made using the age-old technique of block printing, these monumental decorations represent a jewel of French craftsmanship and a rare testament to the vogue for 19th-century mural panoramas.

PANEL 1 - NIAGARA FALLS

The first panoramic panel depicts Niagara Falls. The scene opens with a spectacular view of the falls, bathed in light. The eye takes in both the grandeur of the forest-crowned cliffs and the torrential force of the cascades plunging into the river. The composition, remarkably balanced pictorially, highlights the majesty of the site, delicately underscored by a sky with iridescent light, typical of Zuber's hand-painted landscapes. The foreground on the right enlivens the scene with figures in 19th-century costume, an American family watching the spectacle, while on the left, a winding path follows the rugged riverbank, adding narrative depth. America's pioneering spirit is emphasized in the center by steamboats and several sailing vessels, testifying to the rise of technological progress and the opening up of the continent.

Dim: L: 229cm - H: 204cm - D: 1cm

PANEL 2 - NEW YORK BAY

The scene depicted here shows New York Harbor, the heart of economic and urban life at the time, the gateway to and from the "New World." Groups of elegant figures, European or American, dressed in the fashions of the 1830s and 40s, stroll and converse, illustrating both the idea of ​​a fashionable promenade and the discovery of the New World by the elite. A horse-drawn carriage carries travelers, while other riders and strollers enliven the scene with a spirit of curiosity and sociability. The panorama opens onto a spectacular view of New York Harbor, bustling with numerous sailing ships and a few steamships, symbols of the dynamism of the port open to the Atlantic and the world. In the background, the skyline suggests the city's expanse, its first major buildings, its steeples... The hills and pine trees in the foreground serve as a reminder of the nature that was then omnipresent on the edge of the burgeoning city.

Dim: L: 159cm - H: 204cm - D: 1cm

PANEL 3 - BOSTON PORT #1

The third panel depicts a scene from Boston Harbor typical of the early decades of the 19th century in North America. In the foreground, a group of figures dressed in period costumes load and oversee bales, barrels, and crates on the shore. In the background, numerous sailing ships, at anchor or loading and unloading, stand out against the pastel sky, suggesting the vitality of American maritime trade. To the left, large trees, painted in a blue and green palette, contrast the calm power of nature with the bustle of the harbor.

Dim: L: 208cm - H: 204cm - D: 1cm

PANEL 4 - BOSTON HARBOR #2

This scene depicts the bustling activity of Boston Harbor. Workers and sailors are busy loading and unloading barrels and other goods. In the lively bay, several sailboats, rowboats, and steamships crisscross the water, illustrating the city's commercial dynamism. In the background, a panorama of Boston unfolds, its landscape a tapestry of red rooftops and public and religious buildings, many with church steeples rising above them.

Dim: L: 167cm - H: 204cm - D: 1cm

PANEL 5 - THE VIRGINIA BRIDGE

This fifth panel depicts, against a backdrop of magnificent landscapes, a meeting between Native Americans and European figures. In the center, a group of Native Americans, adorned in traditional costumes—feathers, moccasins, colorful tunics—participate in a ritual dance, while others in the background appear to observe or wait. On either side, several groups elegantly dressed in 19th-century European fashion (frock coats, flowing gowns, parasols) watch the scene. In the background, a sumptuous landscape unfolds, composed of tall trees, a spectacular rock formation, wooded mountains, and a winding river. The monumental arch visible in the background seems to represent the famous "Natural Bridge" in Virginia, a geological wonder frequently depicted in romantic panoramas of the era: a symbol of the grandeur and mystery of North American nature.

Dim: L: 167cm - H: 204cm - D: 1cm

These panoramic designs gained international renown, particularly when they were installed in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House under the impetus of Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s. This room, originally a boiler room, was transformed into a reception room for diplomats, and the choice of this wallpaper was intended to reflect the historical and cultural importance of the place.

These wallpapers are not only decorative works of art, but also a precious testament to French craftsmanship and the history of panoramic wallpaper. Zuber & Cie , founded in 1790 and located in Rixheim, Alsace, since 1797, is a  manufacturer renowned for its hand-printed panoramic designs created using traditional techniques. Zuber is the only factory in the world to have maintained the tradition of block printing for the creation of panoramic designs. This artisanal technique, using carved wooden blocks, gives each piece unparalleled quality and depth. The factory's archives contain approximately 130,000 documents, attesting to the richness and diversity of its creations over more than two centuries.

Condition report: The wallpaper was previously pasted onto 5 panels. There are losses, wear and repairs throughout, with variations in tone.