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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. In the four panels Mucha captures the moods of the seasons - innocent Spring, sultry Summer, fruitful Autumn and frosty Winter, and together they represent the harmonious cycle of Nature.

This was Mucha's first set of decorative panels and it became one of his most popular series.Alfons Maria Mucha (1860-1939)

Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier, Chicago

The Four Seasons, c. 1907-08

After Alphonse Mucha by an unidentified artist and fabricator, possibly Mucha himself or under Mucha’s supervision, in Chicago.

Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier, Chicago

Made for a house at 6502 North Sheridan Road, Chicago.These Art Nouveau windows were removed from the house, now demolished, built at 6502 North Sheridan Road in about 1907.

Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier, Chicago

The year before, 1906, the internationally acclaimed Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, his wife Maruska, their cook and several servants moved to Chicago.  Mucha set up a studio, painted, and taught painting at The Art Institute of Chicago for two months.

Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Chicago

Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Chicago

Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Chicago

Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Chicago

Mucha also lectured and gave tutorials at the Pallet and Chisel Club, and was roundly celebrated by the Czech and Bohemian community. Dividing time between Chicago and New York, Mucha remained in Chicago on and off until 1909.

Documents décoratifs1902

1899-1900 Woman with a Daisy Panel Printed cotton velveteen Victoria & Albert Museum London

The first of Mucha’s decorative panels were The Seasons (1896), a series of four panels representing the theme of the four seasons. 

Lady Surrounded by Flowers

The series proved very popular and it was followed by other popular series including The Flowers (1898), The Arts (1898), The Times of the Day (1899), The Precious Stones (1900) and The Moon and the Stars (1902). 

These panels illustrate all the typical qualities of the Mucha poster – the beautiful women with suggestive gestures, the decorative use of flowers and flowing hair, the subtle yet striking colours – all combine to create a compelling harmony of vision whose intention is to inspire and elevate the viewer.

1899-1900 Panel Printed velveteen Victoria & Albert Museum London

1898-1999 Woman with Daisies, Printed velours78.5 x 81 cm Bibliothèque Forney, Paris

1897 Flowerslithograph 66.2 x 44.4 cm

1897 Fruits lithograph 66.2 x 44.4 cm

The Flowers: Carnation (1898)In gaining wider public recognition as the ‘Master of the Art Nouveau poster’, Mucha’s success in a new genre – decorative panels (‘panneaux décoratifs’) – played a significant part. Study

The Flowers: Lily (1898)Colour lithograph 103.5 x 43.5 cm

The Flowers: Iris (1898)Colour lithograph 103.5 x 43.5 cm Decorative panels were posters without text, a prototype of today’s art posters, designed purely for artistic appreciation or decorating interior walls

The Flowers: Rose(1898)Colour lithograph 103.5 x 43.5 cm

It was Mucha’s belief that through the creation of beautiful works of art the quality of life would be improved.

He also believed that it was his duty as an artist to promote art for ordinary people. He was able to fulfill both of these objectives by means of his innovative concept of the mass-produced decorative panel.

1898 postcard “Water Lily”'

Of the panels, Mucha later wrote: ‘I was happy to be involved in an art for the people and not for private drawing rooms. It was inexpensive, accessible to the general public, and it found a home in poor families as well as in more affluent circles.’

Primevère et Plume - série de deux - 1899

Primrose (Primevère)

Primevère et Plume - série de deux 1899 Feather (Plume)

Sound: Nat King Cole - I love you for sentimental reasons; Serenata; Unforgettable

Text and pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda