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Alfons Mucha
(1860-1939)
Jaroslava
Alfons Mucha was a
leading painter in the Art Nouveau movement, born in
Moravia. As a child, he showed talent in both singing
and painting, but never really received any academic
artistic training early in his career. As a young man,
he received commissions for executing decorative
painting and theatrical design in Moravia, and in 1879
he moved to Vienna to work for a design company.
Poster
Four Seasons
After returning to
Moravia, Mucha resumed painting decorative scenes and
portraits, and was commissioned to paint a mural for the
Count Karl Khuen. The Count was so impressed by his work
that he offered to pay for Mucha's tuition at the Munich
Academy of Fine Arts. After studying in Munich, Mucha
moved to Paris in 1887 where he continued his studies at
the Academie Colarossi and the Academie Juilen.
Princess Hyacinth
While in Paris, Mucha
began to work in advertising and magazines, as so many
other Art Nouveau artists of the time did. He also
created a number of paintings, posters, illustrations,
and also carpet and tapestry design, and even jewelry.
In fact, a snake bracelet and ring that he designed for
the actress Sarah Bernhardt has been called the finest
piece of costume jewelry ever created.
"Gismonda" Sarah Bernhardt
His personal Art
Nouveau style would feature young and vibrant woman in
neo-classical dress, surrounded by halos of light,
flowers and other idyllic scenes. Mucha's style was
often imitated, and quickly became fashionable. While
some other artists may have been more prolific or
well-known in the Art Nouveau movement, it has been said
that Mucha was the most influential of them all.
Autumn, 1986
Dansel
Mucha, however, did
not want to associate himself exclusively with this
style. He would eventually return to his home country
and settle in Prague, focusing more on creating work
that reflected his heritage. After World War I, Mucha
even designed bank notes and postage stamps for the
newly independent country Czechoslovakia. Towards the
end of his career, Mucha worked diligently on a series
of paintings that he considered his masterworks which
documented the history of the Slavic people. This series
was gifted by him in 1928 to the city of Prague.
Abolition of Serfdom in Russia
Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy
Mucha was arrested by
German officials during the outbreak of World War II,
and though he was released, he would forever be
devastated by this event. Mucha never recovered from the
shock of invasion and died in 1939.
Woman in the Wilderness, 1923
Heraldic Chivalry
While Mucha is
probably best known for his Art Nouveau decoration,
posters, and advertising, he was also a proficient
painter, and executed a great many paintings during his
career. Today, his work is housed all over Europe, and
especially in his beloved Prague. Still wondering about
an Art Nouveau painting or piece of art hanging in your
home? Contact us... it may be by Alfons Mucha.
