The art that captivated Paris: Historic Mucha poster collection on display
The Regional Museum in Chrudim has opened an exhibition of works by the renowned Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. The collection of first edition posters, which captivated Paris in the late 1890s, is on show under the title Alphonse Mucha – Euphoria of Ornament.
The collection of posters ranks among the greatest treasures of the museum’s art collection. The town of Chrudim purchased the core of the collection in 1897 when they first appeared in the streets of Paris and expanded it in the following years.
Museum director Klára Habartová explains what makes the exhibition extraordinary:
“The collection we have is exceptional in that it is remarkably comprehensive and represents one-third of all the posters that Mucha created. What is also unique is that the works are in excellent condition, allowing us to admire their original authentic colours. The posters have been exhibited several times before, but after roughly a decade on display they are always returned to storage to prolong their preservation. Finally, it is an exceptional legacy from our forefathers – the fact that in the late 19th century the town of Chrudim was willing to invest in art and acquire such a unique and extensive collection for future generations.”
The collection is divided into several thematic sections. Visitors can see Mucha’s famous theatre posters as well as decorative panels, a highly popular form of lithographic art in the 1890s. Among the highlights are the celebrated “The Seasons” series and the later “Gemstones” cycle, depicting elegant women surrounded by flowers in the colours of amethyst, topaz, emerald and ruby.
The exhibition also offers a glimpse into Mucha’s commercial work through advertisements for a variety of products, including a 1897 campaign for Nestlé powdered milk and posters promoting pharmaceutical opiates used as painkillers. Another notable feature is a pair of decorative plates adorned with gilded Art Nouveau motifs.
Among the most famous exhibits is the poster that launched Mucha’s international career. In 1894, while living in Paris, he unexpectedly received a commission to design a theatre poster for the celebrated actress Sarah Bernhardt. His poster for the play Gismonda caused a sensation, earning him a five-year contract with Bernhardt and leading to numerous further commissions.
The poster became so sought after in Paris that, according to contemporary accounts, collectors sometimes bribed billposters to obtain copies. Mucha’s works were also frequently removed directly from advertising boards and poster displays by fans of his work.
Despite the acquisition of the collection in 1897, Mucha did not personally attend the exhibition held in Chrudim that year. But in 1933 he visited the town with his wife, Marie Muchová, and was guest of honour at another exhibition of his work. The museum also acquired several original drawings directly from the artist.
Mucha had close ties to Chrudim through his wife Marie, née Chytilová, whose family came from the town. After Mucha's death, Marie continued to visit Chrudim regularly. She and the couple’s daughter, Jaroslava Muchová, are buried in the local cemetery.
