Alphonse Mucha is acclaimed for his distinctly stylized and decorative Art Nouveau illustrated posters and prints — particularly those depicting beautiful French actress and famous artists’ muse Sarah Bernhardt. His work remains widely loved by everyone from bohemian students to serious collectors.
Mucha and his contemporaries treated femininity as the antidote to the impersonal, masculine world of the industrial revolution — it was to be celebrated and embraced. He fervently believed that art is a crucial, enjoyable benefit to humankind, and it should be accessible to as many people as possible.
Mucha showed an early talent for drawing. Rejected when he applied to the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 1878, he traveled to Vienna — two years later at the age of 19 — and found work painting theater backdrops. After a tragic fire that destroyed the theater that employed him, he returned home and began painting portraits. Count Eduard Khuen Belasi hired Mucha to paint a series of murals for his residence.
In 1885, the Count sent Mucha to the Munich Academy of Fine Arts — paying his tuition and living expenses. Mucha moved to Paris in 1888 to continue his studies, where he shared a studio with Paul Gauguin. There, he became enamored with the nude female form and allegorical studies. He enjoyed some financial success with magazine illustration work, which led to lucrative book illustration commissions. One of Mucha’s illustrations for the book Scenes and Episodes of German History received a medal of honor at the 1894 Paris Salon of Artists.
In 1894, Mucha began a six-year contract for the acclaimed stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, creating posters for her shows and tours. His first poster was an immediate sensation and cemented his fame in the Art Nouveau poster artist community.
Mucha designed some of the most famous posters of the era — a time when these works were key to the fabric of the cosmopolitan thoroughfare in the French capital. He created advertisements for JOB cigarette papers, Ruinart champagne, Lefèvre-Utile biscuits and Moët-Chandon champagne. Although Mucha is renowned for his posters, he spent the latter half of his life on decorative panel works and Czech nationalist artworks — many of them in the collection at the Mucha Museum in Prague.
Find original Alphonse Mucha nude prints, figurative prints, wall decorations and other art on 1stDibs.
Set of Two Mucha Foundation Art Nouveau Prints "Ivy" and "Laurel" AP 20/50.
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of two beautiful Art Nouveau prints, "Ivy" (1901) and "Laurel" (1901), authorized by the Mucha Foundation, Prague. Each print is marked with the Foundation's official stamp and n...
Paper
$102,317
H 33.86 in W 42.92 in D 0.04 in
Mucha, Waverley Cycles, Original Art Nouveau Belle Epoque Vintage Poster, 1898
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Original Art Nouveau Vintage Poster dating from 1898 by Alphonse Mucha. Artist: Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) Title: Waverley Cycles Date: 1898 Size (w x h): 33.9 x 42.9 in / 86 x 109 cm Printer: F. Champenois, 66 Bd St Michel, Paris. Materials and Techniques: Colour lithograph on paper Linen backing: Yes Condition: A (Designates a poster in very good condition. The colours are fresh and there are no or very few paper losses. If there are imperfections they are marginal and imperceptible). Additional Details: « Harry Reynaud, Directeur Général pour la France...
Paper
$550Sale Price|75% Off
H 15 in W 11 in D 0.13 in
Art Nouveau Gemstone Painting after Alphonse Mucha Spring
Located in Somis, CA
A rare gemstone artwork in the art nouveau style modeled after Alphonse Mucha's "Spring". The painting was done on the back of glass and applied with quartz to create the iridescent background. The Goddess finely painted, delicately inlaid with natural gemstones. She wears a long mermaid...
Multi-gemstone
Art Nouveau Alphonse Mucha Original JOB Poster, 1898
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Alphonse Mucha 1898 JOB poster. Excellent condition with beautiful frame under plexiglass ready to hang. Poster for 'Job' cigarette paper (1898) 'JOB' is a ...
Paper
$203Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 12.01 in W 9.65 in D 0.02 in
Set of Two Shell Prints Plate XCIII and XCV by Captain T. Brown, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
Original hand-colored engravings from illustrations of the "Land and Fresh Water Conchology of Great Britain and Ireland," drawn and colored by Captain Thomas Brown...
Paper
$2,600
H 21.25 in W 17.13 in D 0.75 in
Alphonse Mucha Lithograph Art Nouveau "Au Paradis des Bebes" 1902 Paris
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A vintage lithograph of a glamorous woman of the Art Nouveau era done by the famed artist Alphonse Mucha known for his flowing detailed art depicting mostly woman in a sexy but digni...
Paper
$399Sale Price|38% Off
H 15 in W 11 in D 0.13 in
Gemstone Painting Modeled After Alphonse Mucha Autumn Art Nouveau
Located in Somis, CA
An extraordinary gemstone artwork, inspired by Alphonse Mucha's "Autumn". Executed on the reverse of glass and adorned with a myriad of precious gemstones to evoke a luminous, irides...
Multi-gemstone
$1,800
H 19.75 in W 16.75 in D 0.75 in
Alphonse Mucha Lithograph Art Nouveau #1 Cocorico French Magazine Cover
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A vintage lithograph of a glamorous woman of the Art Nouveau era from the cover of the first edition of " Cocorico" a high art French magazine published in 1898 for their Dec. 31st i...
Paper
$390Sale Price|40% Off
H 15 in W 11 in D 0.13 in
Gemstone Painting Modeled After Alphonse Mucha Summer Art Nouveau
Located in Somis, CA
Step into a realm of extraordinary beauty with this gemstone artwork, a homage to the masterpiece "Summer" by Alphonse Mucha, transformed by a breathtaking mosaic of precious stones....
Multi-gemstone
$47,761
H 43.31 in W 31.11 in D 0.04 in
Original Antique Travel Poster Monaco Monte Carlo Alphonse Mucha Art Nouveau
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in London, GB
Original antique travel poster for Monaco Monte Carlo by the notable Czech illustrator, graphic artist and painter Alphonse Mucha (Alfons Maria Mucha; 186...
Paper
$1,308Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 21.86 in W 15.75 in D 0.02 in
Set of Two Antique Prints, Citrus Decumana, Xanthochymus Dulcis, circa 1870
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of two antique prints titled 'Citrus Decumana' and 'Xanthochymus Dulcis'. It depicts the citrus decumana and xanthochymus dulcis. The citrus decumana is a tree from Southeast Asia producing large fruits resembling grapefruits. The xanthochymus dulcis yields three different types of fleshy bright orange fruit. These prints originate from 'Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l'Ile de Java' by Berthe Hoola Van...
Paper
$186Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 5.32 in D 0.02 in
Set of Two Antique Prints of a Bride and Groom, circa 1850
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of two antique prints titled 'Eene Bruid' and 'Een Bruidegom'. Original antique lithographs of a bride and groom. Source unknown, to be determined.
Paper
Set of Two (2) Abstract Linocut "A" Digital Print Wall Art Paintings
Located in Deland, FL
Delve deep into the world of abstract thought with this exquisite set of two matching giclée prints. Crafted in a striking black and white tonal palette, these artworks defy the trad...
Canvas, Wood
Vintage French Wood Burning Wall Art Alphonse Mucha
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in Baltimore, MD
Vintage French wood burning wall art advertising the Job brand of cigarette papers. The artist was Alphonse Mucha and the work were published in 1896. France artist Mucha was famous for his commercial Art Nouveau posters and were the femme nouvelle or new woman a common theme. The new woman had a wide audience, but he also worked in a variety of other media. He mostly worked in Vienna. The densely patterned posters epitomize the Art Nouveau interest in natural forms, decoration, and a rejection of the anonymity of mechanical production. This artwork “JOB” is his most important one. The overview the major creative periods and highlight the greatest achievements by the artist. Job cigarette...
Wood
Alphonse Mucha French Art Nouveau Lithograph "Monaco Monte-Carlo"
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in New York, NY
French Art Nouveau "Monaco Monte-Carlo" lithograph by Alphonse Mucha, printed by F. Champenois, Paris. This work illustrates one of the most intricate color designs by the artist. Th...