Alponse Mucha

Artist's Biography

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Born: July 24, 1860 City and Country of Origin: Ivancice, Czech Republic Painting School: Art Nouveau Art Training: vocational training as a set designer in Vienna; Munich Academy of Fine Arts; Académie Julian; Academie Colarossi Exhibitions: Paris 1890; Awards: Major Works: Alfons Maria Mucha Biography: His name has become synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement. His work underwent a rebirth during the 1960s hippie generation. He studied set design in Vienna from 1879-81 while studying drawing in the evening. After executing a few decorative commissions he landed in Munich in Bavaria where he studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts from 1885 to 1887. When he finished school he moved to the mecca of the art world, Paris. Here he studied with several teachers and even shared a studio for a short time with Paul Gauguin. In 1894 he received a commission to do a poster of the famous actress Sarah Bernardt for the play Gismonda. Ms. Bernhardt was so delighted with his work that she gave him a contract for 6 consectuve years.

In the years following he not only was her poster designer, but also designed her theater decorations and costumes. This made Mucha an instant success and he was swamped with commissions for all types of commercial print advertising. In 1900 he received a commission from the Austrain government to decorate the Austrian pavilion at the World's Fair. From 1904 to 1921 Mucha traveled often to the United States where he taught classes in both New York and Chicago. After the Germans occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939 Mucha's fame made him an instant target of the Gestapo who arrested and interrogated him. Shortly thereafter, he died of a lung infection in Prague. Died: July 14, 1939 To view the paintings of Alponse Mucha Please Click Here!

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