October 13–January 19, 2019
The expressive and seductive work of Alphonse Mucha, characterized by his portrayals of elegant women and elaborate use of color and ornament, played a prominent role in shaping the aesthetics of the decorative style known as French Art Nouveau.

This exhibition presents over 70 works that range from rare original lithographs, drawings, and books to portfolios and ephemera. Due in part to the highly advanced reproduction techniques of his time, Mucha’s work reached an extremely broad public and attained enormous popularity. His compositions were so alluring that they became known as the “Style Mucha,” and embodied much of the artistic decorative endeavors around the turn of the 20th century.

Sponsored by the Elaine P. and Richard U. Wilson Foundation and the Gallery Council of the Memorial Art Gallery, with additional support from the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Fund.

shown: Alphonse Mucha, Gismonda (detail) 1894