The history of decoupage
Decoupage is the art of decorating surfaces with applied paper cut outs. The word decoupage comes from the French decouper, which means to 'cut out'. Motifs are cut from paper, along their own lines and then glued flat onto a surface and heavily varnished, so that the edges blend in with the background, almost as if the motif has been painted onto the surface. It is a very personal art and will often reflect the decoupers personal tastes, in subject, colours and compositions.
There are differing opinions on the history of this art. Some sources say that it is an early European art, dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, which became popular in seventeenth century Venice, and then spread throughout Europe. Others say that it began in fifteenth century Germany, when printed decorative borders simulating the complex Tarsia wood inlay were produced for use on furniture, so that from a distance it looked real.
However, many authors on the subject remain convinced that it was the demand for heavily lacquered Chinese furniture, or Chinoiserie, that began the trend towards decoupage during the late seventeenth century. This furniture was very much sought after, but prohibitively expensive, meaning that few people could afford to buy them. In response to this, the Venetian craftsmen of the time decided to use decoupage, to emulate the hand-painted and highly lacquered effects of Chinoiserie, to create a more accessible and cut price version.
The craftsmen created their own designs, that they painted, cut out and pasted on to items of furniture. The furniture was then varnished heavily, with many coats of varnish, it was extremely popular and by the middle of the eighteenth century it had spread to the fashionable French court of Louis XVI.
Both Marie Antoinette and Beau Brummel, a leader in English society who is said to have moved to France to escape from his gambling debts, were fascinated by decoupage and practised the art.
Decoupage followed to England a little later, when people who returned from their tours of Europe took the love of decoupage with them. The Victorians seemed to have an unbridled passion for this delicate art, decorating everything from boxes and screens, to tables, chairs and vases. With the advent of the Industrial revolution and the development in colour printing, soon prints or 'scrap sheets' were being produced to use specifically for decoupage purposes.
After the boom time for decoupage during the Victorian period, decoupage went through a decline in popularity, only to be revived again over the last few years, with the accessibility of photocopiers and fast drying varnishes. There has also been the realisation that it is such an easy way to be creative, even if you can't draw or paint, the main tool is a pair of scissors and all one has to do is cut out and paste, for which you will need more enthusiasm than talent.
Juliet Bawden - Juliet Bawden is a craft & design writer and broadcaster. She has had over 60 books published. She crafts, cooks -gardens and recycles
