ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) KRINOGEN. Circa 1928.
Approximately 17 5/8 inches, 44 3/4 cm in diameter. [V. Neubert, Prague.]
Condition B+ / B: sharp creases, wrinkles and repaired tears in image and at edges. Matted and framed. Unexamined out of frame.
This was Mucha's final poster for a commercial product, which was also more personal than many of his other commissions. It was designed for his sister, Anna Kuberova, who had developed an herbal hair restoration tonic. The image was used on the product packaging and on promotional postcards. The round format is exceptionally unusual, as is the use of only metallic gold ink. There is a wonderful artistic irony in the fact that Mucha, much of whose fame was based on his depictions of women with incredibly lush, flowing and extraordinary hair, was provided the opportunity to employ that individual talent of his to help his sister. In fact, regarding his inclusion of the halo-shaped format, the heads in profile, the woman's elaborate earring and his stylized typography, it can be said that Mucha provided his sister with a work that encompassed his most prominent graphic conceits. rare. We could find no other copies at auction. Lendl p. 295, Rennert / Weill 113, Mucha / Henderson 117, Mucha / Bridges A72.