Alfons Maria Mucha

description

The famous Czech artist, one of the most famous representatives of Art Nouveau.
From childhood, he showed his musical and art abilities. He was brought up under the influence of two powerful cultural forces: the Catholic Church with the beauties of its service and attributes and the desire of the Slavs to be independent from the Austrian Empire.
Alfons Mucha was the author of decorative works and numerous posters in a bright, inimitable style, which brought him fame and wide popularity. In addition, the artist showed himself as a talented designer who designed the interior of Prague’s most famous modernist buildings – the Municipal House, the hotel “Europe” and “Imperial”, as well as an illustrator, a jeweler and a theater set designer. Since 1906, Alfons Mucha worked as a teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago, but after some time he returned home, to create a series of monumental paintings that reveal the history of the Slavic nation. Decorative works of the artist embody the aesthetics of his era and are the icon of Art Nouveau.

Key ideas:

– The famous style of Alfons Mucha is widely known all over the world. His manner was so popular that his contemporaries called all his works performed in Modernist style “Mucha’s style”. Sudden fame unknown to the then theatrical artist was brought by only one work – a poster of the production named “Gismond” in 1894, starring Sarah Bernhardt in the title role. The actress liked the poster so much that she not only signed a contract with a young designer for the next few posters, but also made him the main artist of “Renaissance” theater in Paris.

– Having received freedom in creative and material terms, Mucha began to work in a unique style, bringing amazingly beautiful and carefree young women to the forefront of his works. These ladies, surrounded by an exquisite background of plants, flowing fabrics and intricate ornaments served not only as posters for theater productions, but also advertised perfumes, bicycles and even cigarette paper. In addition, the artist was actively engaged in theatrical design, illustrations for famous works and design of jewelry. Whatever the master created, it immediately became incredibly popular and in demand in the bourgeois environment.

– The work of Alfons Mucha was of a decorative and applied character until 1912, when he decided to use his extraordinary talent to create a series of Symbolist paintings devoted to the history of Slavs. In these paintings, which were impressive in size, the firm decorativeness and smoothness of the line goes to the background, and the first place takes a deep meaning and patriotic sound. Before his death, the artist bequeathed these canvases to the people of the Czech Republic.

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The birth of the artist

Alfons Maria Mucha was born on July 24, 1860 in Ivancic, Moravia, Austria-Hungary.

He earned a living from portraits

Started working at a workshop for the production of various theatrical accessories and stage scenery elements. He earned a living from portraits, which led him to Count Huen-Belashi, who hired the poor self-taught man to paint frescoes in the family castle Emmahof of a small Moravian town of Mikulov. The count paid for his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he began to work as an illustrator, most often for the magazine named “Crocodile”. The future artist developed his own special calligraphic style.

Entered Julian Academy

He moved to Paris to continue his artistic education. Entered Julian Academy, then attended Colarossi Academy. In connection with the fact that his patron died, he was forced to earn a living and training by creating posters, illustrations and posters. Acquainted with Gauguin, Van Gogh, Bonnard and other prominent French innovators.

Completed a poster for the presentation of "Gismond"

Completed a poster for the presentation of “Gismond” starring Sarah Bernhardt in the title role. Thanks to the patronage of the great actress, who really liked the style of Mucha, he received the post of a chief artist of “Renaissance” theater.

The artist's work became popular

The artist’s work became popular. He held two successful exhibitions at the Paris gallery “La Bodiniere”, then across Europe. Mucha received many orders, created numerous advertising posters and decorative works. His spiritual beliefs were expounded in the illustrated book “Le Pater”, in which Byzantine, Catholic and Masonic symbols were included.

He designed the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina

At the World Exhibition in Paris, he designed the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina; published a book named “Documents” (1902), which contained many sketch drawings for various household items.

First visited the United States

First visited the United States, where his work was very popular. He published the book-manual named “Decor Figures” (1905), which together with the first book became a “bible” for Art Nouveau style. Having settled in Chicago, he became engaged in teaching, collaborated with many publishers, painted posters and portraits. In 1909, he finally found a man who agreed to finance the implementation of his grandiose plan – the Slavic epic. It became philanthropist Charles Kren.

"Slavic epic"

He returned to the Czech Republic and began work on a grandiose project – the cycle of paintings named “Slavic epic”. This work took almost 20 years. At the same time, he carried out various projects – painting the ceiling of the mayoralty with the inscription: “Despite the humiliation and torture, you will live, my country!”. After the declaration of the independence of Czechoslovakia in 1918, he enthusiastically developed postage stamps, banknotes, the coat of arms of the new country. In order to work on giant 6×8 m canvas-sailboats in the Zbirosh castle, he carried out research, regularly making trips to the Balkans, consulting with historians to guarantee the credibility of the battles and other events depicted.

He donated the whole Slavic epic to Prague

Finished the last canvas of the project (No. 20, “Apotheosis of the Slavs”), showing a new republic, protected by Christ, under the rainbow of peace. Two years later, at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the country, he donated the whole Slavic epic to Prague.

"Three Centuries"

Finished working on the stunning stained glass in St. Vitus Cathedral, began working on the triptych “Three Centuries”, where he talked about wisdom and love as ways to peace.