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CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:10 PM Oct 2015

Drama Queens, Champagne and Chocolate: The Art of Alphonse Mucha

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Nothing typified Paris in 1900 more than the poster art of a Czech artist named Alphonse Mucha who was living and working in Paris at the time. “The Mucha Style” advertising posters by the artist, worked up by the ambitious Champenois printing company, were everywhere in the City of Lights. Today, we call this gracious period “Art Nouveau.”

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And at the time, Mucha wanted nothing to do with that term, as he thought of his art as being more “serious.” Yet it is impossible to imagine that art era without his works coming to mind. And he could not know that Art Nouveau would come to be regarded as the aesthetic of humanism.

Like his later American counterpart, Norman Rockwell, Mucha really wanted to be known for his gift to art, not advertising for Sarah Bernhart, or for a popular genteel champagne label and other luxury industry products. He was a true Czech patriot who wanted to honor his country’s heritage and to communicate a spiritually unifying message to the world. It was his declared creative purpose.

But the Theatre de la Renaissance, Moet et Chandon and Nestle were paying the bills, along with Lefevre Utile’s high end biscuit company with whom Mucha had a long run. Bills were paid...and then some...

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Beautiful, graceful women with entwined vaporous hair and wearing light and draping dresses appear in scenes that have their inspiration in nature -- willowy foliage, flowers and extravagantly beautiful gems. These became his “signature” decorative art, which included both exquisite jewelry for the fabulous Paris shop of Georges Fouquet, as well as calendars and magazine covers in France, the United States and Czechoslovakia

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Fouquet admired Mucha so greatly that he asked the artist to help design his chic Rue Royale shop, here reconstructed (which you can see today) at the Musee de Carnevalet in Paris

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It may seem ironic to us today given the sumptuous nature of his art, but Mucha was a champion of class equality. He believed it was important to give access to the beauty of art to every social class and elevate designs common to their lives to the status of works of art. In the masterful visual statement of his artistic creed,
“Documents Decoratifs,” he established his theories and the main decorative elements of what was to be known as Art Nouveau.

Mucha and his wife traveled to the United States several times between 1904 and 1921 where he lectured at the Art Institute of Chicago as well as in New York and Philadelphia. Teaching jobs enabled the couple to have regular income with which to raise their son and daughter.

In the last 21 years of his life, Alphonse Mucha developed what he believed to be the apogee of his artistic career, “The Slav Epic,” for the city of Prague. In this huge series of mural paintings, he outlined the progress and celebrated the culture of the Slavic people. This massive work is exhibited today at Prague’s National Gallery.
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44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Drama Queens, Champagne and Chocolate: The Art of Alphonse Mucha (Original Post) CTyankee Oct 2015 OP
I love his work and the entire art nouveau era hlthe2b Oct 2015 #1
Thank you!!!!! nt djean111 Oct 2015 #2
How wonderful flamingdem Oct 2015 #3
I had a copy of that poster in my house for many years but gave it to my son... CTyankee Oct 2015 #6
Love this stuff. hifiguy Oct 2015 #4
I was reminded of some of the San Francisco art of the 60's as well. jalan48 Oct 2015 #17
There was a big Art Nouveau influence hifiguy Oct 2015 #18
Thank you for this, CT. Decoy of Fenris Oct 2015 #5
Thanks I saw it and just did fix it. CTyankee Oct 2015 #7
See, I'm not as fond of the advertising, but that's just a matter of perception, I think. Decoy of Fenris Oct 2015 #8
You are so kind and nice... CTyankee Oct 2015 #11
Thanks very much TubbersUK Oct 2015 #9
I know. Some place he got there... CTyankee Oct 2015 #13
I was in that museum, which is a museum of the city of Paris, back in 2012 but I don't CTyankee Oct 2015 #14
This is so wonderful. When I was in college Mucha was one of the artists Raine1967 Oct 2015 #10
I bought a copy of a Mucha poster (Medee, the first pic I posted) back in the 60s CTyankee Oct 2015 #12
I loved his depiction of women. Raine1967 Oct 2015 #15
If you Google his art you'll find LOTS more... CTyankee Oct 2015 #16
Delicious! blogslut Oct 2015 #19
quite a time, wasn't it? He obviously loved women because they are so frequent in his art. CTyankee Oct 2015 #20
Classy people dig Mucha! MrScorpio Oct 2015 #21
Izzat you? CTyankee Oct 2015 #23
Yep, the one and only MrScorpio Oct 2015 #25
There ya go, buddy! You and Alphonse... CTyankee Oct 2015 #28
Just to prove your point, Mr. Scorpio... dixiegrrrrl Oct 2015 #33
The second looks like ME ? Yes? Person 2713 Oct 2015 #41
Rec to read later yardwork Oct 2015 #22
I visited the Mucha Museum in Prague which opened in 1998. Divernan Oct 2015 #24
I got 3 big books on Mucha from my little local library for research for his essay... CTyankee Oct 2015 #27
aww - thank you. 840high Oct 2015 #26
thanks...it's fun... CTyankee Oct 2015 #29
I love Art Nouveau but was completely ignorant of Mr. Mucha. dae Oct 2015 #30
So happy to introduce Mucha to you! It's the whole point of my doing these essays! CTyankee Oct 2015 #31
Love Mucha, and the Art Nouveau period... ms liberty Oct 2015 #32
Thank you so much, CTyankee. I really look forward to your Friday posts. Unknown Beatle Oct 2015 #34
I love the seasons (first one you put up). It's a real winner, IMO... CTyankee Oct 2015 #43
That's my calendar for this year. Blue_In_AK Oct 2015 #35
Kicking for beauty's sake in a time of tragedy. G'night, all. n/t Decoy of Fenris Oct 2015 #36
a gentle little kick for the Saturday folks... CTyankee Oct 2015 #37
I love Mucha and the entire Art Nouveau era! smirkymonkey Oct 2015 #38
Seems there are quite a few Mucha fans here...his fame is justified... CTyankee Oct 2015 #39
Thanks . Those two peacocks in the room . Wonderful art Person 2713 Oct 2015 #40
I'm intrigued by that intricate fountain...love the little sculpture of the woman on top... CTyankee Oct 2015 #42
Yes. I actually started with a longer post that went on to mention the fountain also, but didn't Person 2713 Oct 2015 #44

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
6. I had a copy of that poster in my house for many years but gave it to my son...
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:22 PM
Oct 2015

it was upsetting to my stepchildren when they would visit...

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
4. Love this stuff.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:17 PM
Oct 2015

I remember first seeing it when the hippies revived interest in it.

And there's an Irish fantasy artist from the 1970s named Jim Fitzpatrick who was Mucha's spiritual successor. Comics artist Barry Windsor-Smith swiped more than a little from Mucha as well.

ETA:

A Minneapolis band swiped the famous "La Plume" for their 1970 album cover. I actually own this album:

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
18. There was a big Art Nouveau influence
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 07:28 PM
Oct 2015

in the work of the SF hippie-era artists, especially the poster artists. The underground cartoonists not so much.

 

Decoy of Fenris

(1,954 posts)
5. Thank you for this, CT.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:19 PM
Oct 2015

I like to think of myself as relatively cultured, but there's always something new to learn, to see, to research. Now I'm off to examine The Slav Epic; that touches quite close to home, given my Slavic/Rus roots.

(By the way, you doublepasted your bottom paragraph if you haven't caught it already. )

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
7. Thanks I saw it and just did fix it.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:24 PM
Oct 2015

Actually, I don't care for the Slav Epic so much but it IS interesting. I kinda prefer his decorative and advertising art more...

 

Decoy of Fenris

(1,954 posts)
8. See, I'm not as fond of the advertising, but that's just a matter of perception, I think.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:30 PM
Oct 2015

His elevation of the common man to the status of a quasi-Godhood through emphasizing day to day activities is a true masterstroke to me. So rarely do you really see artists embrace the everyman as thoroughly as you can see here; it's something that really does warm my heart. As against cultural individualism as I am, it's artists like this that make me question that belief from time to time. It's a glorious series of work that wonderfully embodies the potential of humanity on both the individual -and- the collective levels.

It's rare that forum posts put a smile on my face, but this OP did. Thanks for that, mate.

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
11. You are so kind and nice...
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 06:10 PM
Oct 2015

this stuff just "knocks your socks off" as the saying goes. I have wanted to share it with folks here, as I want to share all good and great art, because I believe art belongs to all humanity and, along with moral choice, distinguishes us from other primates...

TubbersUK

(1,439 posts)
9. Thanks very much
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:38 PM
Oct 2015

I knew a little about his advertising images but didn't know about his jewelry and interior designs - that shop interior is stunning

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
14. I was in that museum, which is a museum of the city of Paris, back in 2012 but I don't
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 06:24 PM
Oct 2015

remember that exhibit. Probably because I didn't know the artist at the time (or had forgotten). Nice museum, but more of a history museum than an art museum.

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
10. This is so wonderful. When I was in college Mucha was one of the artists
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:39 PM
Oct 2015

That drew me deeply into my graphical illustration studies. I was in school in the 80's and so many of the 1960's poster styles were becoming reto-popular. One of my professors pointed out that many of those styles were influenced by Mucha.


His art still inspires me to this day. His work is simply beautiful elegant and inspiring.

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
12. I bought a copy of a Mucha poster (Medee, the first pic I posted) back in the 60s
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 06:17 PM
Oct 2015

because it was so dramatic and I loved the vertical style. No wonder Bernhardt loved him and contracted with him to do all of her posters. He brought her alive all over Paris. It must have been a fabulous time to live there...

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)
15. I loved his depiction of women.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 06:42 PM
Oct 2015

They are all so beautiful and strong.

Yes, agree with his vertical style, it was so graphic and yet so flowing and natural. Sarah was a smart omen.



This just screams for Mucha to make a print.

I really love his work. I love the graphic portions combined with the painterly style.



CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
20. quite a time, wasn't it? He obviously loved women because they are so frequent in his art.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 07:54 PM
Oct 2015

she is the apotheosis, the ideal, of beauty...and everything else...he caught the vibe...

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
33. Just to prove your point, Mr. Scorpio...
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 08:50 PM
Oct 2015

This is the Mucha poster I have had in my den forever,
which my son has always loved. "It reminds me of you, Mom"
(we were both much much younger then, of course)




but, over the years, things have changed.....








Divernan

(15,480 posts)
24. I visited the Mucha Museum in Prague which opened in 1998.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 08:04 PM
Oct 2015

Mucha's grandson & daughter-in-law established the Mucha Foundation in 1992, following the death of the artist's son, Jiri. I was in Prague for 10 days back in 2002, and my Czech hosts proudly took me to the museum. For souvenirs, I bought a lovely "celebratory" book published (in English) by the Foundation/Museum in 2000 and a hand-painted silk scarf in lovely shades of cream and various greens, in one of his classic designs.

There are a number of books featuring this artist's works but I couldn't find a copy on line of the one I have. It is simply titled "Alphonse Mucha" and contains several hundred reproductions of his paintings, free drawings and pastels as well as hundreds of photos (many taken by Mucha himself) of jewelry, sculpture, posters, murals, decorative plates, ceramics, vases and photos he took of his family and of his models. It also includes reproductions and descriptions of 10 of the 20 monumental murals in his Slav Epic.

I particularly got a kick out of Mucha's photograph of Paul Gauguin playing the harmonium (like a small organ) in Mucha's studio. Gauguin manages to look tres distingue despite being bare foot, bare legged, wearing a night shirt under the jacket of a suit. Gauguin shared Mucha's Paris studio before his trip to Tahiti, and again upon returning from Tahiti and preparing for his first Paris exhibition. c. 1895.

Thanks for featuring this artist in your Friday post. I hadn't thought about him or looked at my book of his work for years, and really enjoyed going through it again.

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
27. I got 3 big books on Mucha from my little local library for research for his essay...
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 08:08 PM
Oct 2015

and got stuff on line.

Glad you got to Prague and saw the Slave Epic. Must be overpowering.

Love the art. Love the concept of Art Nouveau. Too bad it didn't take off in this country...

dae

(3,396 posts)
30. I love Art Nouveau but was completely ignorant of Mr. Mucha.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 08:11 PM
Oct 2015

Thank you for the introduction CTyankee!

Unknown Beatle

(2,672 posts)
34. Thank you so much, CTyankee. I really look forward to your Friday posts.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 09:17 PM
Oct 2015

Here's another beautiful one by Mucha.

The Four Seasons


Alphonse Mucha had a series of paintings called the Four Seasons.

Here's another one.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
38. I love Mucha and the entire Art Nouveau era!
Sat Oct 3, 2015, 02:08 PM
Oct 2015

I have a poster from the Mucha museum in Prague. It's an advertisement for a symphony and one of my most treasured possessions. Thank you for posting!

CTyankee

(63,768 posts)
42. I'm intrigued by that intricate fountain...love the little sculpture of the woman on top...
Sat Oct 3, 2015, 04:36 PM
Oct 2015

what an age of loveliness...

Person 2713

(3,263 posts)
44. Yes. I actually started with a longer post that went on to mention the fountain also, but didn't
Sat Oct 3, 2015, 08:25 PM
Oct 2015

want to blather on . Enjoy!

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