Mucha

Alphonse Mucha

Overview

Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist and master of Art Nouveau, defined the fin-de-siècle aesthetic with his distinctive decorative style. His compositions, featuring patterns, flowers, and women in evocative colors like peach, gold, ochre, and olive, became prominent in illustrations, posters, postcards, and advertising. Mucha's posters for actress Sarah Bernhardt are particularly emblematic of the Belle Époque. Beyond his art, he held strong nationalist beliefs, expressing support for Pan-Slavism and Czech independence through monumental works like The Slav Epic. He was also a Masonic philosopher and pacifist with humanist ideals.

Who it's for

• Fans of Art Nouveau and decorative arts
• Those interested in late 19th and early 20th-century European art
• Readers exploring the intersection of art, nationalism, and philosophy

Key features

• Language: English
• Pages: 96
• Binding: Hardcover
• Publisher: Taschen
• Year: 2015
• ISBN: 9783836550093