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The idea of personifying the seasons was nothing new - examples could be found in the works of the Old Masters' as well as in Champenois's other publications. However, Mucha's nymph-like women set against the seasonal views of the countryside breathed new life into the classic theme. In the four panels Mucha captures the moods of the seasons - innocent Spring, sultry Summer, fruitful Autumn and frosty Winter, and together they represent the harmonious cycle of Nature.

This was Mucha's first set of decorative panels and it became one of his most popular series.Alfons Maria Mucha (1860-1939)

1896 Four Season series: Spring and Summer

1896 Four Season series: Autumn and Winter

1896 Four Season series: Autumn (detail)

1896Four Season series: Winter (detail) 1897 Calendar Champagne

1897 Four Seasons series

1897 Four Seasons series 1898 Calendar of Cherry Blossom

1897 Calendar for Masson Chocolate

1898 Four Season series

1898 Four Season series Details Spring and Summer

1898 Four Season series Details

1898 Four Season series Details

1902 Four Season series

1899 The Months - Illustrations for Le Mois Littéraire

Aurore et Crépuscule – 1899 Aurore (down1)

Aurore et Crépuscule – 1899 Crépuscule (Dusk)

1902

The

Moo

n a

nd S

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ser

ies:

The

Mor

ning

Sta

r, Th

e E

veni

ng S

tar,

The

Pol

e S

tar,

The

Moo

n

The

Moo

n a

nd S

tars

ser

ies:

The

Mor

ning

Sta

r

The

Even

ing-

Star

1902

The

Moo

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nd S

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ser

ies

The

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The Moon and the Stars series - The Morning Star, The Evening Star, The Pole Star, The Moon (1902)

It was Mucha’s belief that through the creation of beautiful works of art the quality of life would be improved. He also believed that it was his duty as an artist to promote art for ordinary people. He was able to fulfill both of these objectives by means of his innovative concept of the mass-produced decorative panel.

Poster inspired by the Stars series made by Alphonse MuchaKath

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Drag

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Nigh

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spire

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Star

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The Judgment of Paris (calendar)-1895 Private collection

The Times of the Day series 1899

Night's rest,Evening

contemplation,Morning

awakening, Brightness of Day

Mucha was established as a leading poster artist between 1895 and 1900.  During this period, six posters by Mucha appeared in Les Maîtres de l'Affiche, Jules Chéret’s monthly publication featuring the best posters of the time selected by him. Also from that time, Mucha’s distinctive style was called ‘le style Mucha’, becoming synonymous with the current ‘Art Nouveau’ style.

The Times of the Day series 1899Night's rest

Brightness of Day Evening reverie

Brightness of Day

In gaining wider public recognition as the ‘Master of the Art Nouveau poster’, Mucha’s success in a new genre – decorative panels (‘panneaux décoratifs’) – played a significant part. Decorative panels were posters without text, a prototype of today’s art posters, designed purely for artistic appreciation or decorating interior walls.  It was Mucha who transformed them into a new art form, affordable and available to the wider public, whereas, traditionally, works of art were available only to the privileged few.

Zodiac 1896

Sound: Frédéric Chopin - Ballade No. 3 in A flat major op.47

Text and pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda