Mucha [Hardcover]

Sarah Mucha (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Generally agreed to be one of the most important contributors to Art Nouveau, the Czech artist Alphonse Mucha was trained, celebrated and lived most of his life in Paris. His unforgettably iconic images of Sarah Bernhardt and others embody the spirit of the fin de siècle. But underneath his successful career as an artist and poster designer lay a passionate Slav nationalist whose most important and long neglected works are still being painstakingly restored and exhibited in the Czech republic. This book is the first comprehensive overview of his life and work and is published in association with the Mucha Museum in Prague.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This lovely book explores every facet of his life and work Artists & Illustrators This beautiful, informative book is a must-have for anyone who has an interest in 19th century style Period Ideas

About the Author

Sarah Mucha is an art historian, married to the grandson of Alphonse Mucha; she lives in London. She is a trustee of the Mucha Foundation and works to set up exhibitions of the artist's work worldwide.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711225176
• ISBN-13: 978-0711225176
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Art Nouveau
  • #64 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Modern

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A RICHLY DETAILED TRIBUTE TO MUCHA, April 29, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mucha (Hardcover)

What a marvelous collection! These Art Noveau posters by the famed Czech artist Alphonse Mucha are visual feasts, appealing, curvaceous, sinuous. Rich in color and line they arrest the eye. Of the 222 colour illustrations, one would be hard pressed to select a favorite; aficionados will simply return to the volume again and again to enjoy.

Born in rural Moravia in 1860, Mucha found his world in Paris where he was commissioned to do a poster for famed actress Sarah Bernhardt. It was so well received that "Le style Mucha" was born. Of course, it didn't happen overnight but along the way he came to know other artists such as Gauguin and Strindberg who influenced his work.

As if his fame as a poster artist were not enough, he also ventured into architecture, and also created beautiful drawings and pastels replete with symbolism. As he matured he would paint monumental canvases of the Slav Epic, lasting evidence of his patriotism.

In the belief that art influenced all of life his work sends a message of peace and harmony, which is especially noted in his allegorical scenes.

Included in this keepsake volume are Mucha's photographs, those of models, those taken on study trips, and those taken of his family. Photography is one more aspect of this artist's genius.

Artist, philosopher, patriot, dreamer, Mucha is unforgettable.

- Gail Cooke

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't get better than this., May 16, 2006

By 

Sarah OSullivan "Sarzy" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mucha (Hardcover)

This book has it all lots of pictures as well as interesting information on Mucha and his work. I feel that it shows how he and his work became an icon of Art Nouveau. It is not just posters and panels that are covered it goes into every aspect of Mucha's work. There is information and pictures on "The Slav Epic", jewellery, lead light pastels, drawings and more. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves Mucha or Art Nouveau.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely Art Nuveau book, October 29, 2005

By 

foz "foz" (here or there) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mucha (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for a Mucha fan. It's a great price for such a beautiful hardcover book. The high quality glossy pages vividly exhibit the many prints and photographs represented. There is also ample and varied biographical information about Alphonse Mucha's life and career. It's a great book for any art-nuveau fan.