ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)

[ZODIAC / P. PLOTON & D. CHAVE.] 1898.

24 1/4x18 inches, 61 3/4x45 3/4 cm. [F. Champenois, Paris.]
Condition B: replaced losses, repaired tears and overpainting in corners and margins; repaired tears, creases and overpainting in text and image. Matted and framed.

With Zodiac, Mucha reaches the full maturity of his style, with each of his signature design elements in their most fluid and elaborate incarnations. The image was originally published as a calendar by F. Champenois but was quickly bought by La Plume, who began issuing it as a calendar with their own name at the top. The image was a huge success and was ultimately used for a variety of different advertising purposes; at least ten different variations have been identified. This is a rare version for the printer and lithographer P. Ploton & D. Chave, with a1898 calendarium at bottom. Brno 8, Lendl 56 , Rennert / Weill 19, Mucha Grand Palais 23, Darmstadt 28, Arco p. 85, Sarah Mucha p. 28, Mucha / Henderson 131, Mucha / Posters and Photographs 24, Mucha / Bridges C4a, Triumph des Jugendstils 63, Spirit of Art Nouveau p. 79, DFP-II 629, Schardt p. 131 (All variants).