Edmond Rostand LA SAMARITAINE (Sarah Bernhardt as Photina) Alfons Maria Mucha

Description: "LA SAMARITAINE" Alphonse Mucha Print More information about original work: "Edmond Rostand was one of several playwrights who became admirers as well as lovers of Sarah Bernhardt during her career. He dedicated four of his plays to her including La Samaritaine, which is derived from the biblical account of John 4:1-30. Sarah played Photina, a girl from Samaria who encounters Christ at a well, becomes a Christian and then encourages her countrymen to do likewise. Mucha alludes to the Biblical sources by making use of Hebrew text both in the mosaic halo behind the girl's head and also in the panel supporting the water jar. Her also extends the Hebraic influence into the rest of the lettering on the poster." Measures: 15 1/2" x 11 1/2" inches The print was taken from an art book (a book of prints) published 1975 The print is in good condition. Wonderful print to frame!! A background about the art style - "At the turn of the century, the posters decorating the streets of Paris were the art of the common people. The appearance of a new Mucha, Lautrec, or Cheret was a cause celebre throughout the city. The poster craze of La Belle Epoque was caused in part by modern innovations in lithography and printing that made it possible to reproduce quality posters in large quantities. The masses responded to artists like Mucha who popularized commercial style that came to be known as Art Nouveau" Some detail about the artist - "Alphonse Mucha was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1860. He was nineteen when he applied to be an apprentice scenery painter in Vienna. When the theatre burned down he went to Munich to study art formally. He wanted to paint frescoes and portraits but was unable to support himself with fine art commissions. Instead he illustrated short stories for a pulp fiction magazine. It was during this time that he shared a studio with Gauguin and began to study photography. Then, on Christmas Eve of 1894, Mucha was correcting proofs at a printing press for her play Gismonda. She wanted the poster by New Year's Eve. Since Mucha was the most available artist the printer could find, he was sent directly to the theatre. The 'Divine Sarah' was so pleased with the final product that she singed Mucha to a six year contract. This was the beginning of his success as a commercial artist. He did a total of nine posters for Bernhardt, as well as designing her jewelry, costumes, and stage scenery. Her endorsement and the popularity of subsequent Bernhardt posters brought in a flood of commissions from printers all over France." SEE AND USE PICTURES WE COMBINE SHIPPING Track Page Views With Auctiva's FREE Counter

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End Time: 2024-01-12T22:30:40.000Z

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