The Seasons - Autumn 1900

In 1896, Alphons Mucha created a series of 4 decorative panels named the Seasons with the printer Champenois. It had such success that Champenois asked the artist to execute the theme again in 1897 and 1900. This is the third set designed in Mucha’s unique and endearing style. The figures in this set are more refined, compared to the playful figures in the first set.

In this piece, Autumn from the 1900 series is portrayed as an elegantly dressed lady holding a shallow basket full of harvested fruits. On the upper corners, Mucha used Thyrse to decorate and this is in connection with the poem in the lower right corner, which reads: "L'Automne, symbolisant la maturité de l'Année et portant le Thyrse des Vendanges, présente les Fruits qu'a dorés le Soleil de l'Eté." ("The Autumn, symbolizing the maturity of the year and bearing the harvested Thyrse, presents the fruits that has been goldened by the Sun of the Summer.")

The idea of personifying the seasons was nothing new - examples could be found in the works of the Old Masters' as well as in Champenois's other publications. However, Mucha's nymph-like women set against the seasonal views of the countryside breathed new life into the classic theme. [Mucha Foundation]

Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) is the famous Czech artist. He liked drawing when he was a child, and at a young age started working as a theatrical scenery painter. In 1879, Mucha moved to Vienna to pursue this line of work, and soon after was sponsored to study at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. The artist moved to Paris in 1887 to continue his studies at Académie Julian and Académie Colarossi. He soon became popular in the French capital for his paintings, illustrations and designs for jewelry and wallpapers, among others. His style became known as Art Nouveau, French for "New Art". Mucha usually depicted beautiful women surrounded by flowers and Neoclassical inspired robes.

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 of our posters.