Saturday 150th anniversary of birth of great Czech artist Alphonse Mucha

Saturday marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Czech painter Alphonse Mucha. Mucha was born in the Moravian town of Ivančice, but found fame in Paris when a poster he designed for a play starring Sarah Bernhardt became an overnight sensation. The artist then produced a great number of paintings, posters, advertisements, book illustrations and other items in a style that became known as Art Nouveau. He died in 1939 after catching pneumonia while being interrogated by the Gestapo. A travelling exhibition marking the anniversary of his birth has been organised by the Mucha Foundation, which is headed by the painter’s grandson.