Alphonse Mucha exhibition, Paris

The Czech illustrator, graphic designer, painter and interior decorator Alphonse Mucha is one of the best-known representatives of the early 20th-century art nouveau movementand the belle époque.

For the 150^thanniversary of his birth, the Musée du Luxembourg is holding an exhibition of his work (paintings, drawings, posters, photographs, items of furniture, and memorabilia) from 12 September 2018 to 27 January 2019.

Alphonse Mucha was born in 1860 in Ivancice. His first lithographic poster was for the actress Sarah Bernhardt. He became known for his posters that combined young women with floral motifs, ornamental lines, and pastel colours. This style came to embody the era’s emerging movement in the decorative arts, Art Nouveu.

However, Mucha was also an artist, sculptor, photographer, decorator, and teacher. He also produced political and war artworks, as well as works depicting his Slavic roots.

He arrived in Paris in 1887 at the age of 27 and studied at the Academie Julian and the Academie Colarossi until his funder – Count Eduard Khuen-Belasi – cut off his allowance. To make money, he illustrated books and magazines. During this time, he met painter Paul Gauguin.

In 1910, he returned to his homeland to work, focusing on The Slav Epic project, marking 20 major political, religious, philosophical, or cultural points of view.

He died of pneumonia in Prague on 14 July 1939, ten days after his 79^thbirthday.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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