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ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)
99
●
[OESTERREICH AUF DER
WELTAUSSTELLUNG.] 1899.
38x12 inches, 96
1
/
2
x30
1
/
2
cm. S. Czeiger, Vienna.
Condition A: minor time-staining in margins;
minor abrasion in left side of image. Matted and
framed. Unexamined out of frame.
This image is virtually unique among Mucha’s
work, as it does not display a woman posing
on her own, but instead features a young
ephebe unveiling a statuesque lady. It surpasses
Mucha’s normal, passively evocative images
and borders on the overtly sexual. Contemporary
publicity explained the image as “Paris
revealing Austria to the world;” a revelation
superbly drawn by Mucha, bathed in a palette
of soft, earthy tones. An additional panel on
the right side of the poster, absent here, was
designed by the architect, G. Rossman, and
depicts architectural renderings of Austria’s
various buildings at the Paris World’s Fair of
1900. When the poster originally appeared,
many collectors cut the piece in two and kept
only the sensuous half designed by Mucha.
Rennert / Weill 66, Wiener Plakat 90, Lendl p.
147, Brno 46, Mucha Grand Palais 159,
Darmstadt 137, Mucha / Henderson 91,
Mucha / Bridges A45, Triumph des Jugendstils
41, DFP-II 649.
[2,000/3,000]