9. Study of Drapery / Alphonse Mucha (1900)

Study of Drapery / Alphonse Mucha (1900)

Study of Drapery / Alphonse Mucha (1900)

Gouache / H: 61 cm, W: 46 cm

■ Statement

"I think [the Exposition Universelle] made some contribution toward bringing aesthetic values into arts and crafts." 

■ Brief Biographical Information of Artist 

Alphonse Maria Mucha first name from the Czech Alfons (24 July 1860 – 14 July 1939), was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist, best known for his distinct style and his images of women. He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, and designs.

■ Background of the Art work

Mucha married Maruška (Marie/Maria) Chytilová on June 10, 1906, in Prague. The couple visited the U.S. from 1906 to 1910, during which time their daughter, Jaroslava, was born in New York City. They also had a son, Jiri, (born March 12, 1915 in Prague; died April 5, 1991 in Prague) who later became a well known journalist, writer, screenwriter, author of autobiographical novels and studies of the works of his father. In the U.S. Alphonse expected to earn money to fund his nationalistic projects to demonstrate to Czechs that he had not "sold out". He was supported by millionaire Charles R. Crane, who used his fortune to help promote revolutions and, after meeting Thomas Masaryk, Slavic nationalism. Alphonse and his family returned to the Czech lands and settled in Prague, where he decorated the Theater of Fine Arts, contributed his time and talent to create the murals in the Mayor's Office at the Municipal House, and other landmarks around the city. When Czechoslovakia won its independence after World War I, Mucha designed the new postage stamps, banknotes, and other government documents for the new state. 

■ Connection Between the Art and the Theme 

I could not feel that the art work is realistic, but we are able to imagine her face and body. By two blurred images alongside the middle woman, the artist tried to make people have a fantasy of the woman.