Late 19th Century

Task:

Research examples of Art Nouveau in illustration and graphics.

Art Nouveau originated in France, and means 'New Art'. In this research task I will concentrate on the commercial works of Alphonse Mucha, who is probably the most well-known artist of this movement, having designed hundreds of posters and advertisements as well as furniture and jewelery designs.

Figure 1, Gismonda poster, Mucha 1898

This poster was created for Sarah Bernhardt, a famous theatre actress at the time, and was the image that launched Mucha to fame. It was so different to anything else in that era that at first it was coined a disaster by the printers, who proclaimed no-one would ever like it. However when presented to Sarah, she immediately loved it.

"The actress was examining the poster which she had hung on the wall. She turned around and kissed him, initiating a collaboration which lasted for six years.                              Alphonse Mucha was catapulted into the international art world almost overnight. Witnesses to his success were all astonished by the unusual chain of events that had permitted an obscure graphic artist- known before to only a few professionals- to receive the sublime kiss of recognition in Sarah's dressing room." 1

The poster was greeted by the public with just as much enthusiasm as Sarah and she personified the style- the style swept through Europe, not only in graphic form but in interior decor and even architecture. The style had roots in a number of influences, ranging from Japonisme and oriental art to the elaborate French Rococo.

Figure 2, The Geisha Itsutomi, Eishi

This is an example of typical Japonisme. Note the similarities between the styles- especially in regards to the asymmetry of the piece and the long flowing dress the woman is wearing. Japanese woodblock printing also influenced the Art Nouveau style, in the form of solid contoured lines and gradient backgrounds. Two of the most popular and famous Japanese woodblock artists were Hokusai and Hiroshige. 

Figure 3, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Hokusai

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai is possibly one of Japan's most famous artworks. When compared with Mucha's illustration poster La Trappistine, you can see the direct influence in the form of the gradiented background and smooth flowing lines, along with the curvature of the lines and their precise purposefullness. 

Figure 4, La Trappistine, Mucha, 1897

Art Nouveau also went under another name for a while- 'Le Style Mucha'. This was because Mucha was the embodiment of the style- his works became so famous and widespread he was THE artist to commission for Art Nouveau.

One of the main features of Art Nouveau, or Le Style Mucha, was the prominent features of flowers, jewels and other decorative objects in the posters and designs. The illustrations also usually featured a frame of some sort, wether it be circular or rectangular or a swirling motif around the image. The colours used were usually soft pastel tones, a far cry from the bright and gaudy primary colours used elsewhere in this period.  

"There was hardly any text and a profusion of pale colours; it was the exact opposite of current poster art. The elongated shape of the poster and pastel colours - pale whites, cream and beige with subtle mauves, reds, and greens - were so at odds with the current trend of square-shape or landscape posters in bright primary colours." 2

List of Illustrations

Figure 1 Gismonda poster, Mucha, 1898, ELLRIDGE, A. Mucha: The Triumph of Art Nouveau, Paris, 2001, p. 44

Figure 2 The Geisha Itsutomi, Selected Geisha of the Gay Quarter, Eishi, http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/117001/utamaro-and-his-six-women 19/02/14

Figure 3 The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, Hokusai, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Great_Wave_off_Kanagawa.jpg 19/02/14

Figure 4 La Trappistine, Mucha, 1897, ORMISTON, R. Alphonse Mucha: Masterworks, 2007, p. 53

References

[1] ELLRIDGE, A. Mucha: The Triumph of Art Nouveau, p. 44

[2] ORMISTON, R. Alphonse Mucha: Masterworks, p. 94

Bibliography

ELLRIDGE, A. Mucha: The Triumph of Art Nouveau, (2001) Terrail, Paris
ORMISTON, R. Alphonse Mucha: Masterworks, (2007) Flame Tree Publishing, London