The Decoupage Industry

The art of decorating that is decoupage can be done by anyone. Other than the basic materials: glue, scissors and paper cut outs, the thing you need most importantly is your imagination. Then, after some cutting and pasting, you have your own decoupage masterpiece. This decorating technique has had a long line of history. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient times when Nomadic tribes would cover tombs for the deceased with cut out felts.

The cut out paper decoration technique then made its way to Europe in the 17th century. By the 18th century, decoupage became an occupation for artisans who pasted the creations onto furniture. Some decoupage creators were even known as artists in their own right. One of which was Mary Delaney who became a favourite of Queen Charlotte. Eventually, works were pasted onto smaller objects like toiletries and boxes.

Today, various styles for decoupage have been developed. In the 20th century, the modern art movements greatly influenced the styles in decoupaging. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were one of the most appreciated decoupage creators at the time. With the simplicity of the decoupaging process and the beauty of the finished products, decoupaging has become both a hobby and a business. People buy and make them to be used to decorate items like wall clocks, tables, picture frames, greeting cards, mirrors and many more. Decoupage is an art form in itself. And like other art forms like visual arts, decoupage went through centuries of evolution.