Overview
Alfons Mucha is known largely for having originated Art Nouveau, when his poster of the actress Sarah Bernhardt became a legendary icon of the movement. Mucha went on to design hundreds of pieces in the decorative arts field, but later distanced himself from the style he pioneered, devoting his time and energy to painting. This book presents the full array of Mucha's artistic contributions-not only his posters and jewelry designs but also his design for the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 1900 World's Fair. The book also includes his works on canvas, which include pastels and frescoes, and his magnum opus, The Slavic Epic, a series of 20 paintings depicting the history of his native people. A stunning selection of 700 color illustrations is accompanied with essays that explore Mucha's style and inspirations, his transition away from the decorative arts, and his forays into photography. Fans of Art Nouveau will treasure this dazzling and unique study of the artist and his contributions to design and illustration.
Synopsis
This gorgeous volume surveys the entire breadth of Mucha's work—from illustration and decorative arts to his photography and the historical paintings that were his life's passion. Alfons Mucha is known largely for having originated Art Nouveau, when his poster of the actress Sarah Bernhardt became a legendary icon of the movement. Mucha went on to design hundreds of pieces in the decorative arts field, but later distanced himself from the style he pioneered, devoting his time and energy to painting. This book presents the full array of Mucha's artistic contributions—not only his posters and jewelry designs but also his design for the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 1900 World's Fair. The book also includes his works on canvas, which include pastels and frescoes, and his magnum opus, The Slavic Epic, a series of 20 paintings depicting the history of his native people. A stunning selection of 700 color illustrations is accompanied with essays that explore Mucha's style and inspirations, his transition away from the decorative arts, and his forays into photography. Fans of Art Nouveau will treasure this dazzling and unique study of the artist and his contributions to design and illustration.
Library Journal
Czech artist Mucha became famous for creating art nouveau with his poster of Sarah Bernhardt. Editors Husslein-Arco (director, Belvedere Museum, Vienna), Jean-Louis Gaillemin (art history, Sorbonne, Paris), Michel Hilaire (director, Musée Fabre, Montpellier), and Christiane Lange (director, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Munich) demonstrate that he moved beyond that medium and his trademark style with this complete oeuvre of the artist, including pastels, frescoes, paintings, jewelry, and photography. Originally a singer, Mucha saw composition as similar to musical notes on a staff, and the linear and flowing forms of his posters testify to adeptness with this notion. Mucha's larger endeavors include art for the mayor's hall at the Municipal House in Prague, a pavilion for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 1900 World's Fair, and his Slav Epic paintings series, all fully explored and illustrated for the reader. The 700 color illustrations make this book well worth the price, as does the solid research. However, the transition between essays is choppy, and some subjects are segmented and/or repetitive. VERDICT A valuable resource for researchers, designers, and art students/historians; a lovely coffee-table book for aficionados.—Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH