Wallpaper 1935 - 1942

Nicholas Acampora made this wallpaper design with paint, sometime between 1870 and 1910. It's delicate, look at that almost pastel palette, full of muted shades – like the colours have been whispering secrets to each other. The way Acampora handles the paint is so interesting. Thin layers, carefully applied, allow the paper to breathe underneath. The effect of the flowers feels almost ghostly, as if they're blooming from another dimension, sitting just on the surface. Notice the ribbons at the top, how their curves play off the more angular leaves. It’s like Acampora is having a conversation between different styles. This piece reminds me a little of some of those early modernist designers from the Wiener Werkstatte, people like Koloman Moser. Though, where they went for stark lines and bold colors, Acampora seems to be searching for something more ethereal, more romantic. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is always in dialogue – a never-ending conversation across time and space.