Poster of Sarah Bernhardt (1844 - 1923) in Lorenzaccio (1834) by Alfred de Musset (1810-1857) at Theatre de la Renaissance, Paris in 1896
Alphonse Mucha (Ivančice 1860 – Prague 1939)
Category
Ephemera
Date
1896 (signed and dated)
Materials
Paper
Measurements
994 x 361 mm
Order this imageCollection
Smallhythe Place, Kent
NT 1117316
Caption
This lithograph by the Czech artist Alphonse Mucha – with its elegant typeface, scroll-like composition, stylized floral motifs and sinuous lines – exemplifies many tenets of Art Nouveau, the movement that swept through fin-de-siècle Europe, breathing new life into graphic design, decorative arts and architecture. So evocative of Art Nouveau were Mucha’s posters and typographic designs that in Paris, the movement was simply referred to as ‘le style Mucha’. Mucha’s graphic works are typified by organic patterns, curving lines but above all, by the breaking down of barriers between fine art and commercial design. If Mucha’s posters epitomised the movement of Art Nouveau, then Sarah Bernhardt, his greatest subject, represented its physical incarnation. Here, the celebrated French actress is depicted in the title role of ‘Lorenzaccio’, a play by French dramatist Alfred de Musset. Bernhardt was known for her serpentine form and sinuous movements on stage. Although she dressed as a man for the role of Lorenzo de Medici, the suggestion of the spiral is still very much at the heart of Mucha’s design, informing her posture and curvature of her left leg. Bernhardt was the most influential figure in Mucha’s artistic life. It is said that they met in 1894 when Mucha was employed correcting proofs in a Parisian printing workshop and the actress burst in demanding a new poster for her production of Gismonda. All the regular artists were away and as a last resort the inexperienced Mucha was asked to help out. His resulting design thrilled the actress so much, she gave him a six year contract, during which time he produced stage and costume designs for her as well as posters to advertise her plays. Mucha’s posters soon became much sought after by collectors. This example belonged to the great Shakespearean actress, Dame Ellen Terry. Terry and Bernhardt, grandes dames of the Paris and London stages, were friends and great admirers of each other’s work.
Summary
Lithograph poster, Sarah Bernhardt advertising LORENZACCIO (1834), a play by French dramatist Alfred de Musset at the Theatre de la Renaissance by Alphonse Mucha (Ivančice 1860- Prague 1939), signed and dated 1896. In an ebonised frame.
Makers and roles
Alphonse Mucha (Ivančice 1860 – Prague 1939), lithographer