Alphonse Mucha Masterworks

Alphonse Mucha Masterworks Rosalind Ormiston

Alphonse Mucha, also known as Alfons Maria Mucha, was one of the most famous artists of the Art Nouveau era. He was born in 1860, in the small town of Ivančice, 21 kilometres (13 mi) south-west of Brno in South Moravia. Alphonse Mucha spent his youth years in Moravia. He applied to the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 1878, but was rejected and advised to "find another career".

He moved to Vienna in 1880, which at the time was the political and cultural center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Mucha worked there as an apprentice scenery painter for a company producing sets for Vienna theaters. In 1888, he moved to Paris. During his stay there, Mucha's advertising posters created in his unique style brought him recognition and great success in the art world.

Mucha is especially famous for his images of beautiful women surrounded by characteristic floral ornaments. These images appeared in advertisements of biscuits, chocolates, cigarettes, champagne, baby food and even bicycles.

This beautiful book presents 170 images created by Mucha, with accompanying descriptions. It is a great position for all fans of Art Nouveau, of which Mucha was one of the most prominent figures.