ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) [CALENDAR.] Circa 1900.
20x12 1/4 inches, 50 3/4x31 cm. F. Champenois, Paris.
Condition B+: repaired tears and overpainting in margins and border; minor creases in margins and image. Matted and framed.
A woman seemingly lost in a floral reverie is depicted here in typical Mucha fashion, adorned with ornate jewelery and flowing robes. Champenois printed this blank calendar "so that they could be marketed to any number of potential advertisers" (Spirit of Art Nouveau p. 60). Several different versions have appeared on the market over the years advertising diverse products such as perfume, a store in Tours and a decorator in Grenoble. The image also exists as a postcard, on which it is described as "a design for a menu." rare. We have found only three other copies at auction since 1991. Lendl p. 117 (var), Rennert / Weill 60, Mucha / Postcards 78 (var), Mucha / Bridges CP8a (var), Spirit of Art Nouveau p. 61.