Alphonse Mucha was a Czech artist born in 1860 who was known for his Art Nouveau style posters, paintings, and designs. Some of his most famous works included the poster "Gismonda" from 1894 and a series of posters for the French actress Sarah Bernhardt. Mucha also created elaborate decorative designs, such as the illustrations for "Le Pater" from 1899. Later in his career, Mucha spent nearly two decades working on his monumental 20-part cycle called "The Slav Epic" depicting the history of Slavic people. Mucha had a profound influence on Art Nouveau style and continued working up until his death in 1939, seeking to communicate spiritual messages through his artistic works.

1. Menu for the Bosnian Pavilion
Restaurant at the Paris
Exhibition 1900
By Alphonse Mucha

2. How do you know art
inspires you?
Lisa 1155076526 IASP1

3. Alphonse Mucha
1860-1939
Czech artist
Painter, Illustrator, Designer

4. Timeline
1860 1880-1894 1904-1909 1910-1928 1929-1939
Is born in
Czech
Begins decorative
and design work
Artistic
Training
Spends nearly
two decades on
‘The Slav Epic’
Dies shortly
after German
invasion of
Prague
American
Sojourn Returns to
Czech
Breaking
Through in
Paris
1895-1903
Begins working as
a professional
illustrator
Makes Poster
‘Gismonda’
Branches into
jewelry of
Parisian jeweler
Georges
Fouquet
Visits the US to
seek funds for
‘The Slav Epic’
Designs a stained
glass window for
Prague Cathedral

5. Art Nouveau
 It means ‘New Art’ in French and was most popular
during 1890-1910
 Art should be a way of life for well-off Europeans
 It is an international philosophy and art style
covering architecture, graphic art, interior design,
and most of decorative arts, as well as fine arts.
 It was inspired by natural forms and structures, not
only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines
 Art Nouveau in France derives from Mucha style.

6. Posters
Sarah Bernhardt, Art, Advertising

7. Poster for
‘Gismonda’ (1894)

8. The Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter (1896)

9. Poster for 'Moët &
Chandon: Dry
Imperial' (1899)

10. Books, Illustrations
Le Pater

11. Le Pater (1899)
 An illustrated edition of
The Lord’s Prayer
 A message for future
generations about the
progress of mankind
 Through the archetypal
Christian prayer, he
wished to present the
way for man to reach the
Divine Ideal, the highest
state in the spiritual
world

12. Part 1 Part 2

13. Paintings
The Slav Epic

14. Mucha and the work ‘The Slav Epics’

15. 'The Slav Epic' cycle No.1: The Slavs in Their Original Homeland
(1912)

16. 'The Slav Epic' cycle No.20: The Apotheosis of the Slavs, Slavs for
Humanity (1926)

17. Decorative Designs

18. Influence
‘Sailor Moon’ by Naoko Takeuchi
Tattoo of
Muca’s ‘Zodiac’
‘Wolverine with a sword,
and Emma Frost’
by Joe Quesada

19. Art exists only to communicate a spiritual message.
-Alphonse Mucha-