# @drawingcenter on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd22xOAhmlq
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16046237-drawingcenter-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/legacy-do/c39125f42cf52fce24fd46d8d55e1b102e7fd7ef19e080996d78dba0fa67d666.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-01-12T17:04:15.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Drawing Center (@drawingcenter) — https://gondola.cc/drawingcenter

## Caption

Artists have a variety of methods to make their mark. Every Friday we will share a photograph of an #ArtistInAction. 〰
Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) was a Czech artist whose decorative works pioneered the Art Nouveau style that became popular during the last  years of the 19th and into the early 20th century. During his early life, Mucha became familiar with the Baroque style by visiting the cathedrals in his town. The theatrical scenery that he designed in the beginning of his career took influence from these spaces, but his singular style developed through years of freelance decorative painting and advertising jobs. His breakthrough came after he created the famous poster for a production featuring French actress Sarah Bernhardt. The advertisement was posted throughout the city and gained widespread attention for its beautiful design. Eventually, Mucha earned a high status for his production of advertisements, jewelry, theater sets, and posters, among other commercial ventures. His perfectly balanced compositions of fairy-like actresses garbed in flowing neoclassical robes floating among ornate arrangements of flowers and elegant patterns was labeled as the “Mucha style,” which was eventually renamed “Art Nouveau.” The spell-binding intricacy of his designs has roots in the extravagance of the Baroque style used in Catholic churches throughout Europe to communicate the awe of God. Despite most of his success coming from commercial endeavours, Mucha insisted that “Art exists only to communicate a spiritual message.” 〰
#AlphonseMucha
Photo: Self-portrait on stepladder, working on the cartoon of the poster 'Imprimerie Cassan Fils' (1896). Courtesy of Mucha Foundation.

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## Tags

artistinaction, alphonsemucha

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