Alphonse Mucha: Celebrated Art-Nouveau artist
Even if you don’t know his name, chances are you will recognize the unmistakable style of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha: beautiful women with long, thick tendrils of hair dressed in flowing gowns and surrounded by flowers (most often also adorning their hair) and other decorative botanical motifs done in soft, delicate shades of gold, green, ochre and peach.
Mucha first found fame with his revolutionary poster designs and was instrumental in popularizing the Art Nouveau aesthetic, called “Le Style Mucha” by many. His influence in the art world is still felt today and his posters and other artwork sell at auction from four to six figures.
After moving to Paris in 1887 and toiling in obscurity for the next eight years, Mucha’s big break came via a favor and a fortuitous phone call that turned. The company’s regular illustrators were on vacation, but Mucha happened to be there correcting proofs as a favor for a friend, so the task fell to him out of desperation.
