Feb 20 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2695 -

Sale 2695 - Lot 30

Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000

ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)

LORENZACCIO. 1896.

38¼x14¾ inches, 97x37½ cm. F. Champenois, Paris.
Condition B: small reattached losses in corners; repaired tears and extensive overpainting in margins and text; repaired tears, creases and minor overpainting in image.

Sarah Bernhardt loved playing male characters and selected her repertoire (Hamlet, l'Aiglon, etc.) to enable her to do so. Toward this purpose she had Lorenzaccio adapted for the stage from the novel written by Alfred de Musset. The story is an intricate drama set in Renaissance Italy revolving around a Medici prince (Lorenzaccio) who must figure out a way to save Florence, which is under siege by Alexander. The plot gives Mucha the opportunity to evoke the Renaissance, which he does in masterly fashion through the intricacies of the costume, (and accessories) as well as the ornate background. Here, the actress is depicted contemplating "how to kill Alexander in order to save the town and his own honor . . . The dragon above represents the evil forces about to devour the city . . . the ornate, jeweled sword in the bottom panel . . . the possible solution."

This is the smaller format. Rennert / Weill 20 var. 2, Lendl 3 (var), Mucha A10 (var), DFP-II 626 (var), Wember 604.
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