Lorenzaccio (Sarah Bernhardt)  by Alphonse Mucha
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Lorenzaccio (Sarah Bernhardt) 1896

Alphonse Mucha

Currently unavailable via Gallerease

  • About the artwork
    Poster designed by Alphonse Mucha for the play "Lorenzaccio" based on the story of Alfred de Musset starring Sarah Bernhardt. Lithograph printed by Champenois in Paris in 1896. Size: 100,5 x 38,2 cm. In Lorenzaccio, Sarah Bernhardt played the tragically romantic male hero, Lorenzo de' Médici, at the time of the siege of Florence by Alessandro de' Medici, symbolized in the poster by a dangerous dragon that threatens the Medici coat of arms. Lorenzo plans the murder of Alessandro, symbolized by the dagger piercing the dragon in lower panel of the poster. Sarah Bernardt, never afraid to perform a male role, made Lorenzaccio one of the classic roles in her repertoire. Alphonse Mucha was born in Moravia (present-day Czech Republic) and is inextricably linked to Art Nouveau, initially called 'le style Mucha'. Like no other, he managed to depict the Slavic soul with a slightly melancholic touch. Mucha left for Paris in 1887. The city was overwhelmed by his work and his posters were stolen from the streets. The graceful lines, fresh pastel colors and sumptuous motifs in his illustrations of sensual women became the icons of the fin de siècle. Such design, soft coloring and stunningly subtle drawing had never been seen before Mucha and gave direction to Art Nouveau. Yet Mucha did not want his work to be labeled "Art Nouveau" [new art], in his view art was eternal and could never be new. Still today, Mucha remains world famous. With this beautiful poster Mucha's Art Noveau reaches its peak, the combination of carefully considered details makes it a masterpiece. Price: Euro 3.950,- (incl. frame)
  • About the artist

    Alphonse Mucha was born in Moravia on the 24th of July in 1860. He was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and also a decorative artist. Mucha has a very distinctive style and is well-known for that. He created many works of art including paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and designs. Mucha was part of the Jugendstil movement.

    He worked all over the world, from Prague to Paris, from Brno to Munchen and from New York City to Sarajevo. Mucha married Maruška (Marie/Maria) Chytilová on 10 June 1906, in Prague. Their daughter was born in New York and their son in Prague in 1915. Mucha was arrested in 1939 by the Gestapo and was interrogated for his works of arts and their message. Even though Mucha was released he may have been affected by this and he died on the 14th of July in 1939 in Prague due to a lung infection.

Artwork details