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Fine Art Print : Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic
Fine Art Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic
Victorian Wallpaper - in popular emerald green - which contained poisonous arsenic. William Morris, famed for his wallpaper designs, was the son of the owner of the largest arsenic producing company in the country. He was sceptical that arsenic was bad for you and held that because he had arsenical wallpaper in his home (and wasn t sick) it had to be something else! Morris did however stop using arsenic in their papers as the result of public pressure, newspaper reports and a general idea that arsenic was toxic, not just when ingested. Date: 19th century
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Media ID 20029080
© Mary Evans / The National Archives, London. England
Archives Arsenic Covering Health Poison Poisonous Sample Toxic Wallpaper
20"x20" (+3" Border) Fine Art Print
Step into the captivating world of Victorian elegance with our exquisite Fine Art Prints from Media Storehouse, featuring this stunning emerald green wallpaper design from William Morris. A symbol of opulence and sophistication, this iconic wallpaper design, sourced from Mary Evans Prints Online, tells a hidden story of the past. Though its vibrant hue may dazzle the eye, this wallpaper held a dark secret - it was laced with poisonous arsenic, a common additive during the Victorian era for achieving rich, vivid colors. Add a touch of history and allure to your home decor with this captivating Fine Art Print, a timeless piece that brings the past to life.
20x20 image printed on 26x26 Fine Art Rag Paper with 3" (76mm) white border. Our Fine Art Prints are printed on 300gsm 100% acid free, PH neutral paper with archival properties. This printing method is used by museums and art collections to exhibit photographs and art reproductions.
Our fine art prints are high-quality prints made using a paper called Photo Rag. This 100% cotton rag fibre paper is known for its exceptional image sharpness, rich colors, and high level of detail, making it a popular choice for professional photographers and artists. Photo rag paper is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print. If you can afford to spend more on a higher quality paper, then Photo Rag is our clear recommendation for a fine art paper print.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 50.8cm x 50.8cm (20" x 20")
Estimated Product Size is 66cm x 66cm (26" x 26")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases a vintage sample of Victorian-era emerald green wallpaper, a popular choice during the 19th century. The allure of this exquisite design, with its intricate floral motifs, transports us back in time to an era of opulence and elegance. However, this seemingly beautiful adornment holds a hidden, dark secret. The emerald hue of this wallpaper was achieved through the use of a notorious ingredient: arsenic. At the time, arsenic was a common additive in wallpaper production, adding vibrancy and longevity to the designs. However, its inclusion came with a steep price. William Morris, a renowned figure of the Victorian era, was the son of the owner of the largest arsenic producing company in the country. Despite the mounting evidence of arsenic's toxicity, Morris, who was also a prominent designer, remained skeptical. He believed that because he and his family were not showing any signs of illness, the arsenic in their wallpaper could not be the cause. However, public pressure, newspaper reports, and a growing awareness of arsenic's toxicity eventually led Morris to abandon the use of arsenic in his wallpaper designs. The truth about the dangers of arsenic was beginning to spread, and the public demanded safer alternatives. This photograph serves as a stark reminder of the complex relationship between beauty, innovation, and health during the Victorian era. Though the emerald green wallpaper may have once been a symbol of wealth and sophistication, it now stands as a testament to the hidden costs of progress.
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