ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) [TÊTE BYZANTINE BRUNETTE] / SOIERIES LAINAGES A L'ABBÉ CONSTANTIN. Circa 1897.
17 1/8x11 3/4 inches, 43 1/2x29 3/4 cm. [F. Champenois, Paris.]
Condition B+: mat staining in margins; punch holes in top margin as issued; cut and replaced section in lower right image; mounted on paper; water damage on back of paper mount, not affecting image. Matted and framed.
Originally, this poster was accompanied by a calendar pad affixed to the lower right corner (which is now the small blank area). The store being advertised was a haberdasher "offering silks and woolens along with thread, ribbon and lace, and specializing in needs for the bride" (Rennert / Weill p. 170). As the calendar pages have been removed, it is unclear in which exact year this variant was printed. It also seems that this was printed on its own, without a version bearing the other Tête Byzantine, as that second image has not appeared on the market. rare. Rennert / Weill 40 (var 3), Lendl p. 196 (var), Mucha Grand Palais 37 (var), Darmstadt 66 (var), Mucha / Henderson 35 (var), Mucha / Bridges P15 (var), Triumph des Jugendstils 67 (var), Art Nouveau p. 255 (var), Spirit of Art Nouveau 48a (var).