Sarah Bernhardt American Tour - Mucha

This elegant lithograph by Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) was created to promote Sarah Bernhardt’s American Tour, presented by Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau. The design epitomizes Mucha’s style—flowing lines, elaborate patterns, and a statuesque figure framed within an ornate architectural setting. Bernhardt, draped in a richly patterned robe and crowned with voluminous hair, is rendered with a sense of grace and divine presence that elevated her image into legend.Alphonse Mucha, born in Moravia and later active in Paris, is one of the most influential figures in poster history. His work defined the Art Nouveau style in the 1890s, often called “Le Style Mucha,” with its sinuous curves, decorative motifs, and ethereal female figures. His breakthrough came in 1894 when Bernhardt commissioned him to create the poster for her play Gismonda. Its enormous success not only cemented his career but also transformed the very nature of poster art, raising it from ephemeral advertisement to a celebrated form of fine art. Mucha’s posters became icons of Belle Époque Paris, influencing generations of graphic design and cementing his place as one of the most important poster artists of all time.This poster for Bernhardt’s American Tour is a striking example of Mucha’s mastery of composition and ornamentation, merging commercial purpose with artistic beauty. It captures the height of the collaboration between Mucha and Bernhardt, a partnership that produced some of the most celebrated posters of the era.This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.