Derived from the French word “decouper,” meaning “to cut out,” decoupage has been a mainstay for artisans and artists alike for centuries. At its core, decoupage is decorative .It can be about storytelling if a particular theme or period is evoked, but generally it's a bit like trompe l'oeil and involves a trick of the eye where images appear painted, but they are not. I include collage in the mix although it is very different. The Swiss version Scherenschnitte is an elaborate form of paper cutting that has transcended from craft to art form. Decoupage has any number of iterations from the extravagant swiss paper cutting to my grandmother's version - practically using Audubon prints, which she then glued on lamp shades. It must be noted that not all papers are created equal. The weight, texture, and originality of the print can dramatically alter the finished version. I know a thing or two about this art form (and it should be characterized as such) because my family has been at it for four generations. A word to the wise - steer away from "crafty " versions using magazine cut outs and shiny flimsy paper!