Feb 13, 2020 - Sale 2529
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Sale 2529 - Lot 58

Price Realized: $ 16,900
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000
ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) [TÊTES BYZANTINE.] Two decorative panels. Circa 1897.
Each approximately 14x13 inches, 35 1/2x33 cm. [F. Champenois, Paris.]
Condition varies, generally A / A-. Matted and framed.
Mucha's graphic work was often marked by Byzantine influences and styles, beginning with his very first poster for Gismonda in 1894. In visually exalting the splendors of ancient Byzantium, Mucha relied on the use of gold and bronze colors to create sumptuous and intricate designs for the jewelry depicted in his images, to employ decorative mosaic elements in many of his works, and to elevate his subjects to iconic status by using halos. Anointing these two profiles as "Têtes Byzantines" confirms his adherence to this impressive influence. These two decorative panels were among the most successful ever published by Champenois, and the printer issued them in many variations. Intended to face each other, the blonde and brunette have cascading hair that interrupt the halos behind them, tantalizingly breaking through Mucha's trademark mystical circle. Rennert / Weill 40, Lendl p. 196 & 197 (var), Mucha Grand Palais 37 & 38, Style Mucha 9, Darmstadt / Mucha 65 & 66 and cover, Mucha / Henderson 35 & 36, Mucha / Bridges P16, Triumph des Jugendstils 67 & 68 (var), Spirit of Art Nouveau 48 (var), 150th Mucha 89 and cover.
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