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Alphonse Mucha, the Spirit of Art Nouveau



To the lovers of beautiful things … you are in the right place! In today’s post I would like to drag you into a world of allure and delicacy, of grace and elegance …

… This magical world was created more than a century ago by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) who is recognized as one of the most representative interpreters of Art Nouveau. During his time, he was a promoter of a new communicative language, of an innovative and powerful visual art: the female images of his posters were widespread and popular in all the fields of the society of his time and even today we can easily identify his unmistakable style, which has made him an eternal symbol of the Belle Époque.

His artistic works are the quintessential celebration of beauty: feminine portraits surrounded by flowers, delicate muses in the Garden of Eden … the Czech artist made a name for himself, not only transforming the art of the poster, but also establishing the basis of the Art Nouveau style.


“Divine nature speaks to our soul... She awakes in our hearts joy and happiness by the simple lines, proportions and colour of a small flower.”

- Alphonse Mucha


Alfons Mucha's is certainly not one of the best-known names in the field of art history. Yet, his paintings and especially his drawings I believe you have seen them a thousand times. Indeed, he was an artist who - more than many others - managed to mark an era. That was possible thanks to a very personal style, in line with the fashion of the time in which he found himself acting.


French shining star of theater Sarah Bernhard, the muse of Alphonse Mucha
French shining star of theater Sarah Bernhard, the muse of Alphonse Mucha

His career as a poster designer started somehow like a fairytale, when Mucha met Sarah Bernhardt, the French theatre’s star of the Belle Époque – in 1894. Fresh out of the Académie Julian, Mucha was working as an illustrator for Parisian printer Lemercier, when Bernhard (aka ‘La Divine’) – came into his studio. She was in desperate need of somebody to design a poster for her new show Gismonda. It was Christmas Eve and the actress couldn’t chose a better occasion to ring the bell of Lemercier’s studio, when all artists – but Mucha - were home for Christmas. Being in the bureau just he, himself and his pencil, of course the young artist rose to the occasion and created his first poster. It was just the start of a fruitful six-year collaboration. Upon its release, Mucha’s interpretation of Bernhardt was the talk of the town and transformed Mucha’s life for the better.


Alphonse Mucha, "Gismonda", 1894 *** The Parisian actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was the single most influential figure in Mucha’s life as an artist. It was his first poster for her, Gismonda, that made him famous and he grew both as a man and an artist through his professional collaboration and friendship with the greatest stage personality of the era.

Théâtre de la Renaissance: design for poster advertising Sarah Bernhardt's theatre, 1895

Poster for "Lorenzaccio" by Alphonse Mucha, 1896


Poster for "La Dame aux Camélias", 1896

For Sarah Bernhardt - who was at the centre of good life and Parisian theaters' shining star - he created posters, jewels, costumes and sets, helping to make her a planetary star, becoming himself a sort of "star".

All this advertising will make him one of the most sought after authors of applied art, advertising posters and illustrations.


Sarah Bernhardt as La Princesse Lointaine: poster for 'La Plume' magazine, 1897

Alphonse Mucha poster for "La Samaritaine", 1897

Here Mucha captures the compelling stage presence of Sarah Bernhardt in the famous Greek tragedy Medée, 1898

Poster for "La Tosca", 1899

Diadem creted by Alphonse Mucha for Sarah Bernhardt for 'La princesse lointaine' in 1895


Snake Bracelet with a Ring created by Mucha for Sarah Bernhardt in 1899 - Gold, diamonds, opals, rubies, and enamel. Alphonse Mucha Museum, Sakai City, Japan. Courtesy of Albion Art Jewelry Institute/Kazumi Arikawa.

Sarah Bernhardt "Farewell American Tour" 1906 by Alphonse Mucha

Sarah Bernhardt "Farewell American Tour" 1906 by Alphonse Mucha

Pectoral jewel made for sarah Bernhardt, 1900

Enameled gold waterfall brooch set with opal and diamonds and dangling a freshwater pearl - design by Alphonse Mucha, 1900

Pendant designed by Alphonse Mucha, 1900 ca

Necklace by Alphonse Mucha, 1905

Alphonse Mucha "Dessin de Montre" Jewelry Design Illustration for Georges Fouquet, 1900

As a renowned poster designer, and artist in general, new commissions came in from the luxury industry: Champenois, Moët & Chandon, Job, and Nestlé, capturing the essence of the Belle Époque spirit and expanding his unique style to paintings, jewelry, and interior design. He had an important influence on the development of decorative aesthetic Art Nouveau.


"L'Illustration", Alphonse Mucha, 1896

Tableware studies, 1902


The Seasons, 1900. From left to right: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.



Salon of the Hundred, 1896

Chocolat Masson, 1897

Monaco - Monte Carlo Chemin de Fer, 1897

Soap factory of Bagnolet, 1897

Calendar of cherry blossom, 1898

A Quartier Latin, 1898

Chandon Cremant Imperial, 1899

Moet and Chandon White Star, 1899

Biscuits Champagne Lefèvre Utile, 1896

Biscuits Lefèvre Utile, 1896

Lance parfum Rodo, 1896

Chocolat Ideal, 1897

Nestlé`s Food for Infants, 1897

Advertising poster created for the Austrian pavillon at the 1900 World Fair Exhibition in Paris, 1899

Day, Éclat du Jour, 1899

The Moon and the Stars (series), 1902







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