Ruhlmann, Decorator: the Art Deco centenary exhibition at MAD Paris

An undisputed master of the decorative arts… From March 12 to June 1, 2025, the Musée des Arts décoratifs (MAD Paris) presents a new exhibition on the work of artist Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, entitled Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Décorateur. The exhibition is part of the centenary celebrations of the 1925Exposition internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels modernes. Through drawings, wallpapers, textiles and photographs, MAD Paris highlights the work of this iconic decorator, recognized for his pivotal role in design.

Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, a major figure in interior design and a true triumph of theExposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, distinguished himself in particular with his Pavillon du Collectionneur, an ideal home designed for the 1925 exhibition in collaboration with architect Pierre Patout. This pavilion, quickly dubbed the Pavillon Ruhlmann, brought together the work of fifty artists under his direction. As a “meublier et ensemblier”, Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann attached particular importance to the harmony of interior decor, with a marked focus on wall and floor ornamentation.

Theexhibition draws on the museum’s rich collections, including the twenty-six sketchbooks bequeathed by Ruhlmann’s widow in 1959. It also features wallpapers from the Cité Universitaire and productions by the Desfossé & Karth and ESSEF factories, for which Ruhlmann designed models, some of which are shown here for the first time. The exhibition also inaugurates the Cabinet des Dessins, Papiers Peints et Photographies, the museum’s new space showcasing these treasures. An opportunity to explore in a new light the legacy of an artist who left his mark on the history of the decorative arts.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.