Alfons Maria Mucha. Czech artist Alfons Mucha and his paintings

Alphonse Maria Mucha(1860-1939) - Czech graphic artist, painter, virtuoso of arts and crafts. His name is associated with the emergence of a new style in art, which originated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. IN European art this style was called Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau.

A distinctive feature of works in the Art Nouveau style was the rejection of straight lines in favor of natural natural curves. Alphonse Mucha was a recognized master of new refined forms. His multifaceted talent influenced many European architects, artists, and graphic artists.

Biography of Alphonse Mucha

On July 24, 1860, near Brno, in the old small Moravian town of Ivancice, Alfons Maria Mucha was born. The boy early began to get involved in singing and painting.

After graduating from the gymnasium, his father sent his work to an art school in Prague with a request for enrollment. But in response, the professors said that the author of the works did not have enough talent.

After such a failure, the young man had to work as a clerk in a local court. But this did not stop Alphonse from inventing scenery, drawing posters and tickets for the local theater. In many ways, this period of life determined the nature of his future work.

Two years later, in 1789, following an advertisement in a Viennese newspaper, Alphonse Mucha got a job in the workshop " Kautsky-Brioche-Burkhart”, which was engaged in the manufacture of various theatrical fittings.

In 1881, the workshop was completely destroyed in a fire, and the artist was forced to leave for the small Czech town of Mikulov. Here he had to deal with the design of the family castle of the local count Kuen Belasi.

The work of Alphonse made a great impression on the count, who offered the young artist help and became his patron. In 1885 Alphonse entered the third year of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. After studying for two years, the artist decided to complete his artistic education in Paris.

Alphonse Mucha was accepted into one of the most famous art schools France - Julien Academy and then in Academy of Colarossi. However, in 1889 he was deprived of the financial assistance of Count Kuena-Belassi and worked as a simple designer, newspaper illustrator.

In 1894, the artist received an order from the theater " Renaissance". A poster was required for the premiere of the play "Gismonda" with a brilliant Sarah Bernard. Choosing to work with an elongated horizontal format, adding colors and small parts, the artist changed the still existing principle of compiling posters.

Work for Sarah Bernhardt unknown artist made a huge impression. The great actress wanted to meet him. As a result of cooperation, the following works were created: “ lady with camellias», « Medea», « Samaritan», « Yearning», « Hamlet»

For six years after this happy meeting, Alphonse Mucha, as the chief decorator of the Renaissance Theater, drew posters, created decorations, and designed costumes and scenery for these performances.

During this period of creativity, the artist develops his characteristic recognizable style.

The semantic center of the horizontally elongated panel is the image of a mysterious stranger with a captivating smile on her lips, framed by an intricate ornament made up of fragments of fantastic flowers and plants, symbolic images, exquisite weaves of arabesques.

On the wave of success, in 1897, in the Parisian gallery " La Bodiniere» the first exhibition of the artist's works was successfully held. On next year V Salon des Cent(Salon Sta) opened a second, larger one. Then whole line exhibitions were held throughout Europe.

In 1898, Alphonse began a brilliant collaboration with Georges Fouquet, the son of an enterprising Parisian jeweler. The result of the joint work was an extraordinary collection jewelry. Impressed by the success of the jeweler, he ordered Mukha to decorate the facade of his house and develop the interior for a new store.

Except artistic creativity, Alfons Mucha was engaged in teaching and analytical activities. In 1901, his book Decorative Documentation was published, which became a practical guide for many artists.

It contained samples of all kinds of ornaments, sketches of furniture, household items, sketches of jewelry. Most of the presented drawings were later embodied in finished products.

In 1900, the World Exhibition was held in Paris, for which Mucha designed the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was at this time that the artist developed an interest in the history of the Slavic peoples, which only intensified while traveling around his native places. The desire to create a cycle of patriotic paintings in the neoclassical style grows stronger in him.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Alphonse Mucha had gained a reputation as a master, whose opinion was respectfully listened to by the artistic community not only in Europe, but also in America, which he first visited in 1904. The name of Alphonse Mucha was well known in America.

April 3, 1904 newspaper " new york daily news" printed one of his works - " Friendship"and an article dedicated to the artist's work. In 1906 Alphonse Mucha collaborated with " German Theater» in New York: he came up with scenery and curtain design, created decorative panels and costume designs. He spent four years in the United States, successfully combining painting and teaching.

Returning to the Czech Republic in 1910, the artist began to work on the realization of his old dream - the creation of a cycle of paintings " Slavic epic". This work took almost 18 years.

In 1913 Alphonse Mucha traveled to Russia, visited Moscow and St. Petersburg. A visit to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra caused him special feelings. The impressions received during the trip were reflected in the "Russian" canvases of this cycle.

In 1918, a new republic of Czechoslovakia was formed, and its government turned to Alfons Mucha with a request to develop the design of new state, postage stamps, state emblem and forms of government documents. This period of his work is marked by the creation of a sketch of the famous stained glass window in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle.

The final canvas from the Slavic Epic cycle was written in 1928, and the artist donated 20 works to the Czech people that poeticized the history of the Slavic peoples. These works aroused less interest among the audience than his early work in the Art Nouveau style, although for Alphonse Mucha himself, the work on this grandiose idea was the main meaning of his creative life.

In 1939, after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the artist was arrested by the Nazis. In prison, on July 14, 1939, Alfons Mucha died and was buried at the Vyshegrad cemetery in Prague. In 1998, a museum was opened in the capital of the Czech Republic in honor of the famous Czech artist.

Creativity and works of Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha's paintings, with the exception of the epic paintings "Slavic Epic", are few and practically unknown to the general public. This is mainly chamber genre and portrait painting:

• « Woman in red", 1902
• « Madonna of the Lilies", 1920
• « Winter night", 1920
• « Portrait of Yaroslav", 1930
• « Woman with a burning candle", 1933

Cycle of works "Slavic epic"

From 1910 to 1928, Alfons Mucha worked on the painting cycle "Slavic Epic" from 1910 to 1928. 20 grandiose canvases were donated to Prague. The artist considered working on this cycle the main work of his life. Part of the pictures from the cycle:

Lithographs, posters and posters

Alphonse Mucha skillfully used the wide possibilities of the lithography technique (printing from the surface of a stone treated with a special chemical composition) in his works. With its help, he achieved a unique play of textures artistic expressiveness works known throughout the world today. The lithography technique allows replication, while each print retains its artistic originality. Thanks to this, the artist quickly became known throughout the world. In many houses one could see images of his beautiful women.

• Posters for the performances of the theater "Renaissance", 1894-1900
• » 1897
• ”, series 1896
• ”, series 1898
• ”, series 1900
• ", 1911

Jewelry

Creating posters for performances where Sarah Bernhardt shone, Alphonse Mucha depicted unusual jewelry on them. In search of new forms, he studied history and folklore.

These unseen pieces caught the attention of Georges Fouquet, a Parisian jeweler. As a result of the happy collaboration of the two talented artists absolutely innovative works were born jewelry art.

Most famous work jewelry art, created according to Mucha's sketch in 1899 - " rose hands”, a gold bracelet in the form of a snake, decorated with a scattering of precious stones. For the first time, a sketch of this bracelet appeared on the poster for the play " Medea»

It is noteworthy that although Alphonse Mucha is rightfully considered a recognized master of Art Nouveau, the artist himself did not recognize his closeness to this art. He was categorically opposed to being remembered only for his magnificent decorative works.

Working on the "Slavic epic", he hoped to convey to the minds of people his spiritual component, patriotism, concern for the future of his people. However, in the history of art, Alphonse Mucha forever remained a master of perfect forms.

Alfons Mucha Museum in Prague

In 1998 historical center Prague, in a magnificent baroque Palace of Kaunitsky, built in 1720, a museum dedicated to the work of the world famous and beloved Czech artist Alfons Mucha was opened.

The museum collection contains more than 100 works. Paintings, drawings, pastels, lithographs, photographs, personal items. Particular attention is paid to the works of the most famous, Parisian period of the artist's work. The museum has a souvenir shop.

The cost of visiting the museum:

• 180 crowns - adults
• 120 CZK - children, students and seniors over 65
• 490 CZK - family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)

Museum address: Prague 1, Panská 7. Location on the map of Prague:

Telephone: +420 221-451-333

Official website of the museum: www.mucha.cz

Work schedule: daily from 10:00 to 18:00

Alfons Mucha made a truly invaluable contribution to the development of the culture of his homeland, and the Czech Republic is grateful for all his creations.

Alfons Maria Mucha was born in the Czech town of Ivancice, near Brno,
in the family of a petty court official. The courthouse where the artist's father worked is still standing,
and now it houses the museum of Mucha Jr.

The boy drew well from childhood and tried to enter the Prague Academy of Arts, but to no avail.
After high school, he worked as a clerk until he found a job as an assistant through an ad.
decorator in the Vienna "Ringtheater" and did not move to the capital of Austria-Hungary.
In Vienna, in the evenings, he attended drawing courses and made the first illustrations.
To folk songs. After the theater burned down, Alphonse was forced to move to
the Czech city of Mikulov, where he painted portraits of local nobles.
There he met Count Kuen-Belasi, a man who played a very important role in his life.
Mucha was engaged in decorating the count's castle, and the aristocrat was fascinated by his work.
As a result, Kuen-Belasi became a patron of the young artist.
He paid Alphonse two years of study at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1888, Mucha moved to Paris and continued his education there.
Many at that time aspired to the capital of France - after all, then it was the center of new art:
Eiffel had already constructed a three-hundred-meter tower, the World Exhibitions were noisy, and the artists were breaking
canons and promoted freedom. However, the count's financial affairs deteriorated,
and Mukha was left without a livelihood.
In Paris, Alphonse Mucha took up design for the first time, established contacts with publishing houses,
started creating covers and illustrations. He painted in oils
and his paintings were translated into the language of woodcuts.
He for a long time interrupted by small orders, until Sarah Bernhardt appeared in his life -
brilliant French actress.
Perhaps Fly would have succeeded without her, but who knows ...

Sarah Bernard

Sarah Bernard

Sarah Bernhardt on Mucha's poster for the play Gismonda.

In 1893, before Christmas, Mucha received an order to create a poster for the play Gismonda.
Theater "Renaissance", owned by Sarah Bernhardt.
The artist depicted the prima playing in the play leading role, on an unusually shaped poster -
long and narrow. This emphasized her regal posture, the flowing hair of the actress Mucha
decorated with a wreath of flowers, put a palm branch into a thin hand, and gave a look of languor,
creating a general mood of tenderness and bliss. No one had done anything like this before Mukha.
To get the poster, collectors bribed posters or cut Gismonda off fences at night.
It is not surprising that the actress wished to meet the author and signed a cooperation contract with him.
Bernard Alphonse worked at the theater for six years. "The Lady of the Camellias", "Medea", "The Samaritan Woman",
"Lorenzachio" - all these posters depicting Bernard were as popular as "Gismonda".

lady with camellias

Samaritan

Hamlet

He made sketches theatrical costumes and scenery, designed the stage and even participated in directing.
IN late XIX century the theater was the center secular life, talked about it and
argued in the salons, in the theater the ladies demonstrated new toilets and
jewels, and the men showed the ladies -
in general, the theater was food for inspiration and gossip.

Gems

Amethyst

Emerald

In the same Art Nouveau style, the artist also created colorful graphic series:
"Seasons", 1896, "Seasons", 1899, "Flowers", 1897, "Months", 1899, "Stars", 1900,
which to our time are widely replicated in the form of art posters.

Luxurious, sensual and languid "Mukha's women" were replicated

instantly and dispersed in thousands of copies in posters, postcards,
playing cards. The offices of secular aesthetes, the halls of the best restaurants,
ladies' boudoirs were decorated with silk panels, calendars and prints of the master.
Success came to the artist.

Poetry

Painting

Music

A little later, Mucha also began to collaborate with the well-known at that time
jeweler Georges Fouquet, who created jewelry according to the sketches of the artist.
products. Mucha-style jewelry is still popular today.
During the same period, Mukha designed many packaging, labels and
promotional illustrations for goods and products of various kinds -
ranging from expensive Moet & Chandon champagne to
toilet soap.

Cleopatra

Byzantine head

These two compositions, one of which depicts the profile of a blonde and the other a brunette,
are among the most expressive works of Alphonse Mucha. Except skillfully captured faces
and richness of nuances of color, their charm lies in luxurious and fantastic headdresses,
conjuring up the vanished magnificence of Byzantine culture.

Byzantine head

During the six-year collaboration between the actress and Alphonse Mucha
warm friendly relations arose, as evidenced by their
correspondence. And love? Did Sarah Bernard bewitch the Muhu in the same way as
a galaxy of many other men? Of course, the reporters did not pass over in silence
the relationship of the actress with the Czech artist, especially since his name was
speaking in its own way: the same name was given to the comedy character Dumas son
"Monsieur Alphonse", living off his mistresses.
Some even recommended that he change his name or sign with his godfather name - Maria.
However, Mucha was not Alphonse in the sense that Dumas put into this name.
In his correspondence with Bernard there is not even a hint of what was gossip about in high society.

Zodiac

reverie

Indeed, after the conclusion of the contract with Bernard, orders fell on Mukha,
he acquired a spacious workshop, became a welcome guest in high society, where he often appeared
in an embroidered Slavophile kosovorotka, belted with a sash.

A. Mucha Self-portraits

He also had the opportunity to arrange solo exhibitions.
In February 1897 in Paris, in a tiny room of a private gallery
"La Bordiniere", his first exhibition opens - 448 drawings, posters and
sketches. She enjoyed incredible success, and soon the people of Vienna,
Prague and London got a chance to see it all too.

Alphonse Mucha was a singer female beauty. women on
his lithographs are attractive and, as one would say now, sexy.
"Les Femmes Muchas" ("le femme Musha", "women of the Fly") -
languid, lush and graceful.
A complex interweaving of folds of clothing, curls, colors, patterns.
Impeccable composition, perfection of lines and harmony of color.
Czech artist Alphonse Muchu, like many other artists of his time,
pierced by an arrow of new art. It is interesting that the tastes of the artist demanded from him even
new technical solutions in the field of lithography. Art Nouveau, or Art Nouveau, swept Europe with
early 1880s, and only the First World War returned to the prose of life
beauty lovers.

Ivy

Thistle

And then academic norms collapsed, art historians argued loudly, in fashion
included oriental motifs. Painters abandoned straight lines,
fantastic lilies, daffodils and orchids bloomed on the canvases,
butterflies and dragonflies fluttered. Art Nouveau artists believed in the possibility of achieving
harmony with nature, simplicity and moderation, contrasting them with Victorian luxury.
Expressed in art, these virtues were supposed to contribute to the harmonization
relations between people - after all, beauty now seemed not to be something abstract,
beauty has become synonymous with truth.
And, of course, the phrase of Prince Myshkin "Beauty will save the world" was inscribed on the banners of supporters of everything new.

Flowers

One of the first theorists of Art Nouveau was the English painter and art critic John Ruskin.
His ideas were quickly taken up by British Pre-Raphaelite artists who followed
traditions of the Florentine masters early renaissance("Pre-Raphaelites", that is, "before Raphael").
Their fraternity included John William Waterhouse, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti...
those of whom England is now proud. Pre-Raphaelite brush created a new female image
la femme fatale ("la femme fatale", "femme fatale") - mysterious, mystical and beautiful.
The muses of the artists were Proserpina, Psyche, Ophelia, the Lady of Shalott -
victims of tragic or unrequited love. And the painters drew inspiration from their stormy
personal life. It was these images that fascinated Alphonse Mucha.

Carnation

Princess Hyacinth

Moon

His series "Seasons", "Art", "Gems", "Moon and Stars" and
other interesting lithographs that were reprinted as postcards,
playing cards and diverged instantly - they all depicted women.
Mukha worked a lot with the models he invited to his studio, drew and photographed them
in luxurious draperies. He provided photos of models with comments -
« beautiful hands”,“ beautiful hips ”,“ beautiful profile ”…
and then from the selected "parts" he put together the perfect picture.
Often, while drawing, Mucha covered the faces of the models with a handkerchief so that they
imperfection did not destroy the ideal image he invented.

Nature

At the turn of the century, Alphonse Mucha became a real master, to whom
listened to in circles of the artistic community.
Sometimes even the Art Nouveau style in France was called the "Fly style".
Therefore, the publication in 1901 of the artist's book seems natural.
"Decorative Documentation".
This visual guide for artists, on the pages of which
reproduced various ornamental patterns, fonts, drawings
furniture, various utensils, cutlery sets, jewelry, watches, combs, brooches.
The technique of the originals is lithography, gouache, pencil drawing and charcoal.

In 1906, Alphonse Mucha leaves for America to earn money,
necessary to fulfill the dream of his entire creative life:
creating paintings for the glory of their Motherland and all Slavs.
In the same year, he marries his student Maria Khitilova, whom he passionately loved and
who was 22 years younger than him.

Maitre Mukha among the female images of the Four Seasons series.
Image on the wall of a jewelry boutique in Austin, Texas.

Few people know about the monumental historical canvases of Alphonse Mucha,
but his "women's collections" the world admires so far,
although the artist himself considered only these canvases the main business of his life.
In 1910 he returned to Prague and concentrated all his forces
on the "Slavic epic". This monumental cycle was donated by them
to the Czech people and the city of Prague, but was not successful with criticism.

At the same time, he designed a stained glass window design for St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
(commemoration of Saints Cyril and Methodius)
and painted many portraits of his wife, two daughters, son Jiri.
After the proclamation of the republic in 1918, Mucha was entrusted with the production of the first Czechoslovak
postage stamps, banknotes and the state emblem.

Panel from the cycle "Slavic epic"

In the spring of 1913, Alphonse Mucha went to Russia to collect materials for future paintings in the cycle.
The artist traveled to St. Petersburg and Moscow, where he visited the Tretyakov Gallery.
The Trinity-Sergius Lavra made a particularly strong impression on him.
The choice of the year of travel to Russia was not accidental. In 1913, the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty was celebrated.

Our Father

And one more very important aspect of the life of this great admirer of female beauty
(just look at his poetic portraits of women).
His personal family life. Against the background of many loves, Mukha has always been
happy love for the only one. In 1906, already forty-six years old,
famous, he married in Paris his young student and
compatriot Maria Shitilova. She was and remained until the end of her life
his beloved Muse, his model. Was younger artist for 22 years. AND
adored him. Sincere and disinterested. For by the time of their marriage his debts
were much larger than his fortune. However, they both knew: "money is a thing
acquisitive" - ​​and with uneven, irregular incomes, they gave birth and raised a son and
two daughters - red-haired beauties, so similar in face and article on
dazzling mother. Then he painted them, daughters, and in
singing lines of their figures, in their features he still found her, his adored
Mary, for until the last hour he did not want and could not get rid of her charms.

daughters

Daughter of Yaroslav

artist

Young girl in Moravian costume

Woman with a burning candle

Mucha died in 1939 of pneumonia. The cause of the illness was arrest and interrogation.
in the Czech capital occupied by the Germans: the Slavophilism of the painter was so famous
that he was even included in the nominal lists of enemies of the Reich.

Fate

A museum in Prague is devoted to the work of Alfons Mucha,
exposition of the cycle "Slavic epic" in Moravsky Krumlov and an exhibition about the early years of his life
in a renovated building. court in Ivančice.
Mucha's works are included in the collections of many prominent museums and galleries around the world.
Construction plans are currently being developed in Prague's Stromovka park,
not far from the former exhibition complex, a special building for exhibiting the "Slavic epic".

Alfons Mucha was born in Ivančice (Moravia) on July 24, 1860.
In 1885, Alphonse Mucha entered the Munich Academy of Arts immediately in the third year and after two years of study went to complete his education in Paris, in Art School Julien. In French capital he was forced to illustrate fashion magazines and other periodicals. But he did not stop learning and improving his talent.
Alphonse Mucha achieved his first success in 1894 by lithographing a poster for Sarah Bernard and the Renaissance Theatre. He was signed to a six-year contract. During the same period, Alphonse Mucha designs performances and participates in the creation of costumes.

Moved forward with his posters for the performances of the theater "Renaissance", Parisian theater S. Bernard ("Gismonda", 1894; "Lady with Camellias" by A. Dumas-son, 1896; "Lorenzaccio" by A. de Musset, 1896; "Medea" based on Euripides, 1898). Partially acted as a designer of these productions: not only dresses were created according to his sketches, but also stage jewelry. Since that time he has become one of the leading artists of French advertising; his compositions were published in magazines or in the form of posters - with the same figure or head of a languid lady, immersed in the ornamentally colorful world of luxury and bliss. In the same "Fly style" colorful graphic series were created ("Seasons", 1896; "Flowers", 1897; "Months", 1899; "Stars", 1902; all works - watercolor, ink, pen), which until are still replicated in the form of art posters.

One after another, his exhibitions were held, rave reviews appeared in the press. The artist becomes the owner of a new large workshop, he is accepted in the highest society - in a word, deserved fame comes to him. Alphonse Mucha created the "art nouveau" style, which became the epitome of his era, but at the same time he fell into a vicious circle of commercial commissions. However, today it is precisely these works created by him in the "Paris" period that are considered his most valuable contribution to the treasury of world art.

In addition to graphic and painting works, drawings, sculptures and jewelry, Alphonse Mucha creates architectural projects. One of them is the project for the design and decoration of the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900.

In 1906, Alphonse Mucha left for America to earn the money needed to fulfill the dream of his entire creative life: creating paintings for the glory of his homeland and all Slavic peoples. In the same year, he marries his student Maria Khitilova, whom he passionately loved and who was 22 years younger than him.

In 1910 he returned to Prague and concentrated all his efforts on the "Slavic epic". This monumental cycle was donated by him to the Czech people and the city of Prague, but was not successful with criticism. After the proclamation of the Republic in 1918, Alfons Mucha was entrusted with the production of the first Czechoslovak postage stamps, banknotes and the state emblem.
Alphonse Mucha died on July 14, 1939 - exactly 4 months after the occupation of the Czech Republic and Moravia by Nazi troops and 10 days before his seventy-ninth birthday.

Alphonse Mucha. Turning "earthly" into art

Tatiana Fedotova

"Absolute lack of talent" - such a hopeless answer was received by Alfons Maria Mucha from Professor Benefits when he tried for the first time to enter the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. It is unlikely that at that moment both the young man himself and the respected professor could imagine what a huge success Mukha's exhibitions would be throughout the world.
And we ourselves could see this quite recently: from December 6 to February 23 in Moscow, at the Museum of Private Collections (a branch of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts), Alphonse Mucha's exhibition "Flowers and Dreams of Art Nouveau" was held.

His graphic work is an early contribution to the movement that brought art into everyday life.
Renata Ulmer

Fans of the work of the Czech artist, despite the cold Moscow winter, lined up in long lines. Freezing completely, I, along with others, ended up in a small hall where the works of the famous artist were exhibited.

Great was my surprise when it turned out that these "works" for the most part were just posters and advertising posters for tissue paper, beer or bicycles. But despite this, each of the works is a real work of art. On any of them, the central pictorial motif is a lady: a stylized figure beautiful woman or a timid girl, somewhere dreamy and even religious, somewhere carefree and self-confident. But each work is grace, subtlety and grace. Mucha expressed in his works the aesthetic tastes of his time; they show the artistic searches of the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. It was at this time that he was born a new style- “modern”, or “art nouveau” (from the French art nouveau - “new art”).

But Mucha was not only a representative of the new style; about his work they said: "The Style of the Fly." His works were easily recognized among many others, even among those who frankly tried to copy the artist. His style is a harmony of lines and colors; each detail exists in harmony with other details. And the entire plane of the sheet miraculously organized. When you consider the picture as a whole or any one of its details, the feeling of integrity and submission to a single plan does not leave.

But the most surprising thing in the entire exhibition, in my opinion, was a small room in which only photographs of those models from which Mucha painted his paintings hung. Going around them and peering into each of the photographs, one can easily recognize those advertising posters that depict - and transform - this or that lady. Yes, in fact, it is transformed, it acquires some special subtlety, a special “spirit of the Fly”. An ordinary girl in a photograph becomes a real beauty on a poster, with her own character, her own zest, her originality. The hair turns into curly curls, imperceptibly turning into a general ornament, the folds of the dress emphasize the movement of the whole composition. Even the flowers begin to grow, twisting into an unusual line, and the smoke from the cigarette wraps around the model's hair like a transparent veil.

Thanks to Mukha's talent to create real works of art out of simple things, poster art has ceased to be perceived as secondary. And he really became famous thanks to the poster commissioned by Sarah Bernhardt for the play "Gismonda". In one night (!) Something was created that made a real sensation on the streets of Paris. It was a breakthrough a turning point in the career of Alphonse Mucha. After that, offers poured in, a contract was immediately signed with the actress for six years, and the fame of the artist spread far beyond Paris ...

Do you remember how it all began? With an unsuccessful attempt to enter the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. An irresistible desire to study, create and get a real art education leads him to the Munich Academy of Arts, after graduation - to the Prague Academy of Arts and, finally, to the Colarossi Academy. In February 1897, in Paris, in the tiny premises of the private gallery "La Bordiniere", his first exhibition opens - 448 drawings, posters and sketches. It was an incredible success, and soon the people of Vienna, Prague and London were able to see it all too. Mucha's works began to be mass-produced: they were made into paintings, postcards, calendars were issued. The artist's works could be found both in bourgeois salons and ladies' boudoirs, as well as on billboards and in simple houses. Fashionistas in Paris wore jewelry made according to the sketches of the artist. Georges Fouquet, a Parisian jeweler of that time, was inspired by the pieces that decorated the ladies on Mucha's posters, and even created a whole collection of jewelry based on his sketches. But in addition to large and serious works, the artist also had to fulfill such orders as designing advertisements for sweets and soaps, tissue paper and liquor.

However, behind all this fame and recognition, Mucha dreamed of something else. He wanted to be a historical painter, and the title of a talented decorator did not inspire him at all. His big dream (and he even considered it his destiny) was to create works dedicated to Slavic people so dearly im beloved. And Mucha, who was used to not deviating from his ideas, after 1910 devoted his life to this task. He studied day by day Slavic mythology, the history of his people. By 1928, he created his "Slavic Epic", which consisted of twenty monumental canvases, which depicted the history of the Czech people. However, the public, accustomed to the “other” Fly, did not accept this work of his. And besides, artistic tastes had changed by that time. But in any case, Mukha was able to do what few people could do: he brought beauty into everyday, everyday life, forced him to take a fresh look at the “secondary” art of the poster. Alphonse Maria Mucha created not only real paintings and beautiful images, but also made the simple things that surround us into works of art.

I'm leaving the museum. From the entrance to the bus stop, there is a queue of people who want to see "the works of the famous Czech artist." Looks like they're in for a lot of surprises too!

July 24 marks the 156th birth anniversary of the world famous Czech artist, illustrator, jewelry designer, poster artist Alphonse Mucha. He is called one of the most well-known representatives modernist style and the creator of his own unique style. "Women of the Fly" (images of the seasons, time of day, flowers, etc. in female images) are known worldwide for their open sensuality and captivating grace.

Alphonse Mucha has been drawing well since childhood, but his attempt to enter the Prague Academy of Arts was unsuccessful. Therefore, your creative way he started out as a decorator, poster and invitation card artist. He did not refuse to paint walls and ceilings in rich houses. Once Mucha worked on decorating the family castle of Count Couen-Belassi, and he was so impressed with the artist's work that he agreed to pay for his studies at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. There he mastered the technique of lithography, which later became his calling card.

After studying in Munich, Mucha moved to Paris, where he studied at the Colarossi Academy and earned a living by making advertising posters, posters, restaurant menus, calendars and business cards. The meeting of the artist with the actress Sarah Bernhardt was fateful. Once the owner of the printing house de Brunoff ordered him a poster, Alphonse went to the performance and, under the impression, sketched a sketch on a marble slab of a table in a cafe. Later, de Brunoff bought this cafe, and the table with the drawing of the Fly became his main attraction. And when Sarah Bernhardt saw the poster, made in the technique of multi-color lithography, she was delighted and wanted to see the author. On her recommendation, Mukha received the position of chief decorator of the theater and since then he has designed many posters, costumes and scenery for her performances.

In 1897, the first personal exhibition of Alphonse Mucha was held in France. At the same time, the concept of “Women Mukha” appeared: it was not his romantic hobbies that were meant, but the habit of depicting the seasons, flowers, time of day, art forms, precious stones, etc. in female images. His women have always been recognizable: graceful, pretty, full of health, sensual, languid - they were replicated in postcards, posters, flyers, playing cards.

The halls of restaurants and the walls of rich houses were decorated with his work, he was incredibly popular, orders came from all over Europe. Soon, Mucha began to cooperate with the jeweler Georges Fouquet, who created exclusive jewelry according to his sketches. At the same time, the artist continued to work on the design of packaging, labels and advertising illustrations - from champagne and chocolate to soap and tissue paper. In 1895, Mucha joined the Salon Hundred symbolist association. They promoted a new style - Art Nouveau, and the democratization of art, which was expressed in the concept of "art for the home": it should be inexpensive, understandable and accessible to the widest sections of the population. Mucha liked to repeat: "Poverty also has a right to beauty."

In 1900, Mucha took part in the design of the pavilion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Exhibition in Paris. At that time, he became interested in the history of the Slavs, which became the reason for the creation of the Slavic Epic cycle. From 1904 to 1913 Mucha spends a lot of time in America, decorating houses, creating illustrations for books and magazines, posters and costume designs for theatrical productions lectures at the Art Institute of Chicago. And then he decides to return to the Czech Republic and for 18 years he has been working on the Slavic Epic.

Alphonse Mucha had a chance to visit Russia. His personal exhibition took place here as early as 1907, and in 1913 he went to Moscow and St. Petersburg to collect materials for the Slavic Epic. made a great impression on him Tretyakov Gallery and the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Mucha was in the house of the artist Pasternak when they were celebrating the publication of a collection of poetry by his son, Boris Pasternak.

The work of Alphonse Mucha still finds its successors today:

I continue the theme of the great Czech artist - ALFONSE MARIA MUHA .
This is the third post dedicated to the life and work of the artist. I do not like to make links to myself in my posts, so anyone who is interested can find previous posts by tag "A. Fly".

With respect to my readers, Sergey Vorobyov.

Be it posters, calendars, labels, packaging, menu cards, postcards or invitation cards- very soon after the start of cooperation with Sarah Bernhardt "Fly style" penetrates everywhere.
While Sarah Bernhardt leads trial Due to the illegal sale of posters of "Gismonde", the printing house of Ferdinand Champenois, in accordance with all the rules of printing, begins to turn Mucha's works into hard currency. This time, an exclusive contract is concluded with the artist with an astronomical amount of the fee - we are talking about 4,000 francs a month, which should pay off for both parties, even though Mucha later often complains about the overwhelming amount of work assigned to him by Champenois.

In 1896, the first cycle of decorative panels "FOUR SEASONS" appears.

Through the year with Alphonse Mucha.
From left to right: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter

Taking into account all the options for everything, almost fifty series on this topic will be created, of which "Four Arts", "Four Times of the Day", "Moon and Stars", "Four precious stone"and" Four Flowers "and today are one of the most popular works Alphonse Mucha.

These panels have an elongated shape - they are narrow and high; they are printed both in cheap versions and in expensive ones using the last word printing technology. They are conceived as wall decorations, as mass art for everyone, which "would look great in the hallway and on the stairwell," as one of the art critics writes, quite favorably.

Champenois and his artist hit the nerve. Just a year earlier, a merchant art products Samuel Bing founded a salon in Paris "Art Nouveau" . So far, an artistic movement with such a name does not yet exist, however, a growing stream of works of this style, which has become known under various names in different countries(in Russia - Art Nouveau), begins to undermine the strict etiquette of salon and monumental art. Art goes into mass production, Belle Époque - Belle Epoque - creates the largest gallery in history, consisting of a wide variety of household items.

"FOUR ARTS" (1898)

Growing hair and dancing leaves
in the transparency of the morning light,
conveying a playful ease of movement
in the panel "Dance"

Early twilight in the panel "Poetry"

Lunar Evening Intimacy and Listening Gesture
in the panel "Music"

The joy of daylight
in the panel "Painting"

Here Alphonse Mucha finds a fruitful field of activity: "I was glad that I did not make art for closed salons, but could make art for the people. It was cheap, everyone could buy it for themselves, and it fell into both the families of the haves and the families of the poor."

Panel Flies are in great demand. Champanois additionally prints about 150 motifs on postcards, introduced in France as a means of correspondence in 1873, and these openly spread the "Fly style" around the world.

One of the most popular cycles by Alphonse Mucha is
"FOUR HOURS OF THE DAY" (1899).

From left to right: "Morning Awakening", "Daytime Affairs",
"Evening Dreams" and "Night Calm"

"MOON AND STARS" (1902)

"FOUR PRECIOUS STONES" (1900)

"FOUR FLOWERS"