ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) CHOCOLAT MASSON / CHOCOLAT MEXICAIN. 1897. Group of 4 posters. Each approximately 11 3/4x8 1/2 inches, 30x22 cm. F. Champenois, Paris. Condition varies, generally B+: repaired tears, creases, abrasions and overpainting at edges and in corners. Masson was a Parisian chocolate manufacturer who had a fine appreciation of Art Nouveau design and relied heavily on the style to promote his products. His two favorite artists were Mucha and Grasset. For this series, depicting the Ages of Man, "each panel is placed within a highly ornate frame which, in addition to decorative curves and patterns, also contains the calendarium for three months, and the text 'Chocolat Masson' or 'Chocolat Mexicain.' These two product names alternate, and whenever one of them is at the top of the frame, the other is in the body of the panel in smaller letters" (Rennert/ Weill p. 187). The imagery follows the arc of life, from a young boy, through childhood, into adulthood and then old age. In each image the main figure is accompanied by a woman, serving as both guardian angel and protectress. Mucha ingeniously reinforces the allegory of the images through the landscape in the background of each panel, which represent the four seasons. Rennert/ Weill 47, Chocolate p. 40-1.
