Alphonse Mucha, an Art Nouveau Visionary

When it appeared at the turn of the century, Art Nouveau was first welcomed with skepticism. However, it soon grew into the most popular art movement that encompassed not only visual arts, but also architecture, and applied art. Truth to be told, it was an international art phenomenon that was championed by the Vienna Secessionists, and further disseminated by other artists in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

One of the most prolific practitioners of Art Nouveau whose works are adored to this day is Czech-born Alphonse Mucha. One of the most renowned artists in Paris is highly regarded for his lavish posters and commercial designs for products such as cigarette papers and tea biscuits, but also theater posters for the superstar actress Sarah Bernhardt and decorative panels and advertisements featuring graceful women.

Mucha’s exuberant oeuvre is about to be revisited with an all-encompassing exhibition simply titled Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary at The North Carolina Museum of Art exhibition.

Exploring The Mucha Universe

The upcoming survey will mark the Mucha Trust Collection’s first proper US tour in the last two decades. It is a result of the most recent research conducted to explore the theoretical aspects of his novel aesthetics that aimed to establish a dialog with the wider public. The visitors will be able to see numerous posters, illustrations, ornamental objects, and rarely seen sculpture, photography, and self-portraits that reflect the artist’s innovation in terms of composition, the use of media, and organic motifs.

The Installment

The display will feature around 100 objects from the Mucha Trust collection, including rarely seen works from the artist’s family to underline both Mucha’s approach to the Art Nouveau style and the way his visual language was used to express the idea of Czechoslovak independence. Alongside examples of his practice, the installment will include several works from the NCMA’s collection to contextualize Mucha’s influence in America and his relationship with French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Mucha at NCMA

The exhibition will be accompanied by several events, while the Museum’s East Café will feature Parisian-inspired dishes and decadent desserts, and the visitors will be able to buy Museum-related merchandise including books, magnets, scarves, etc.

All the aspects relevant for proper understanding of Mucha’s aesthetic are articulated in the accompanying catalog with essays by co-curators Tomoko Sato of the Mucha Foundation and Michele Frederick, associate curator of European art at the NCMA.

The exhibition Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary will be on view at The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh from October 23rd, 2021, to January 23rd, 2022.

Featured image: Alphonse Mucha – Box for Lefevre-Utile biscuits: ordinary iced biscuits, 1901. Tin box covered with lithographed label, 3 1/8 x 8 1/ 16 x 4 5/8 in. Mucha Trust collection, © 2021 Mucha Trust