ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)
68
●
OESTERREICH AUF DER WELTAUSSTELLUNG / PARIS 1900. 1899.
39
3
/
4
x27
3
/
4
inches, 101x70
1
/
2
cm S. Czeiger, Vienna.
Condition B+: creases, abrasions and light offsetting in margins and image; tears, repaired tears and time-
staining at edges; tape on verso; vertical and horizontal folds; text banner affixed to image. Paper.
This image is virtually unique among Mucha’s work, as it does not display a woman posing on her own,
but a young ephebe unveiling a generously proportioned lady. It surpasses Mucha’s normal, passively
evocative images and borders on the overtly suggestive and sexual. Contemporary publicity explained
the image as “Paris revealing Austria to the world;” and it is a marvelous revelation indeed, superbly
drawn by Mucha and bathed in a palette of soft, warm earth tones. The right side of the poster was
designed by the architect, G. Rossman, and depicts architectural renderings of Austria’s various buildings
at the Paris World’s Fair of 1900. When the poster originally appeared, many collectors cut the piece
in two and kept only the sensuous half designed by Mucha. This poster has the uncommon addition
of a text banner with the train schedule from Vienna to Paris. Rennert / Weill 66, Wiener Plakat 90,
DFP-II 649, Triumph des Jugendstils p. 76, Lendl / Paris p. 41, Mucha A45, Cesky Plakat 76.
[6,000/9,000]
