LUDEK MAROLD (1865-1898) L'EQUITABLE DES ETATS-UNIS. Group of 4 calendars. 1900 9x15 3/4 inches, 23x40 cm. Lemercier, Paris. Conditions vary, generally A-. Paper. Ludek Marold and Alphonse Mucha lived parallel lives. Both born in Czechoslovakia, they met and became friends while studying art together in Vienna. In 1889, Marold received a grant to study in Paris, and Mucha followed him one year later. From 1894-95, Marold worked for the Parisian printer, Lemercier, and was likely responsible for introducing Mucha to the printer. For this French branch of an American insurance company, Marold employed an easy and accessible Art Nouveau style that was more illustrative than graphic. In an almost painterly manner, Marold presents his version of the four seasons. Marold returned to Prague shortly before his premature death in 1898.
