Alphonse Mucha

Mucha as mystic, bohemian and philosopher Spanning the entirety of Alphonse Mucha's prolific career, this handsome, affordable and concise overview examines the beloved artist's oeuvre--from posters, jewelry, interior decoration, theater and product design to painting, book illustration, sculpture and photography--across six themed sections that highlight the artist's personality: 'A Bohemian in Paris'; 'A Picture-Maker for People'; 'A Cosmopolitan'; 'The Mystic'; 'The Patriot'; and 'The Artist-Philosopher.' Mucha rose to fame in fin-de-si cle Paris with his elegant theater posters for Sarah Bernhardt, the most famous French actress of the time, and his decorative panels featuring gracefully posed women. For these posters, Mucha created a distinctive style characterized by harmonious compositions, sinuous forms and a muted palette, which became synonymous with the newly emerging decorative style of the time--Art Nouveau. By the time of the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900, Mucha