LORENZACCIO. 1897.

40 1/4x14 3/4 inches. F. Champenois, Paris.
Condition A.
Sarah Bernhardt in the role of Lorenzaccio (she often portrayed male characters) wrapped in thought and a brown robe. Surrounded by golden, Art Nouveau floral motifs and surmounted by a pale green dragon, Mucha chose to illustrate Lorenzacio contemplating "how to kill Alexander [who is laying seige to Florence] in order to save the town and his own honor... The dragon above represents the evil forces about to devour the city... the ornate, jewelled sword in the bottom panel... the possible solution." (Rennert/Weill p. 107). This is the smaller format, which Rennert/Weill points out was not printed with metallic inks and differs slightly in text from the 1896, larger format. However, Rennert/Weill do not point out the color and design differences. This piece lacks any red, and dark green, and also has fewer ornamentations than the larger format. Rennert/Weill 20, var. 2, DFP-II 626 (var), Maitres 144 (var).