Mucha

With his instantly recognizable decorative style, Czech artist and Art Nouveau master

Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939)

defined the look of the fin-de-siecle. In evocative shades of peach, gold, ochre, and olive, his

seductive compositions of patterns, flowers, and beautiful women

became paradigms of the Belle Epoque years.

Mucha's work permeated illustration, posters, postcards, and the advertising designs of his day. His

striking posters of star actress Sarah Bernhardt

were particularly famous. Alongside this delicate decorative work,

Mucha also harbored strongly felt political ideas

. With his monumental cycle

The Slav Epic,

he expressed his staunch support for Pan-Slavism, promoting the political independence of the Czech and Slavic nations from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Compiled in association with the Mucha Foundation, this book presents key works and introduces the full reach of Mucha's oeuvre from patterned decoration to his book illustrations, posters, photographs and monumental paintings.