Alphonse Mucha (July 24, 1860 – July 14, 1939) was born in Ivancice, Moravia, today’s Czech Republic. He was a man with many talents, including illustration and painting. In his early life, he developed his singing at the Moravian Capital of Brno while practicing his painting passion as well. At first, he worked several decorative painting jobs in Moravia, focusing mainly on theatrical sceneries for different clients. Mucha moved to Vienna in 1879 to work for the Viennese theatrical design company. During his stay in Vienna, he continued to learn more about painting. But when an unfortunate incident occurred and fire razed his employer’s business, he was compelled to move back to Moravia.
Count Karl Khuen hired him to create murals in Hrusovany Emmah castle and he did an excellent job that Khuen offered to sponsor his formal art training at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.
Mucha later moved to Paris where continued painting and furthered his studies. After finishing his studies in Paris, he got involved in a number of art projects. He created several high quality paintings, advertisements, book illustrations, and posters. Some of his work could be seen in jewelry, theater sets, and carpets. Every client now seemed to want a piece of Mucha’s style. His artwork was commonly about a lady with flowing neoclassical looking robes. These artistic works were so irresistible that many had to turn their heads to have a second look whenever they came across them.
Mucha left quite a legacy by the time of his death. His son, Jiri Mucha, an author, tried to keep the name of his father up by writing a lot about him. His artwork for a long time has seen the doors and interiors of many museums both in his home country and worldwide. Years after his death, laminated, canvas and framed Alphonse Mucha art can still be purchased from galleries and a host of art dealerships across the globe.