Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939)

   Mucha was born in Czechoslovakia and emigrated to Paris when he was twenty-nine years old. It was there that he achieved great fame as one of the most important exponents of the art nouveau movement. He created prints, posters (many featuring the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt), illustrations for books and magazines, and jewelry. Almost all of his designs were centered on romanticized female figures, highlighted by great flourishes. It has been said that his popularity came too quickly and he saturated his market with too many products, thereby causing a decline in quality and, eventually, demand. His early prints, in mint condition, are considered valuable today because they are some of the best representational art of his era and because Mucha earned an important place in European art history.