Czech-born Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) was one of the most influential and celebrated artists in turn-of-the-20th-century Paris. He is best known for his graphic work, such as theater posters for superstar actress Sarah Bernhardt and decorative panels and advertisements featuring graceful women. Mucha created a distinctive approach characterized by harmonious compositions, sinuous forms, organic lines, and muted colors, which became synonymous with the decorative style called art nouveau.

Despite the powerful impact of Mucha’s style, his ideas behind its development are less well-known. Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary draws on the latest research to examine the theoretical aspects of his style, which evolved as a language for communication with the wider public. Featuring some 100 objects from the Mucha Trust collection, including rarely seen works from the artist’s family, the exhibition looks at Mucha’s contributions to the art nouveau style and how he later used his visual language to express his vision for an independent Czechoslovak nation.

The international scope of Mucha’s aesthetic, influences, and impact are elaborated in the exhibition and accompanying catalogue through the addition of works from the North Carolina Museum of Art collection and new research on their relationship to Mucha’s art and times.

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary is co-organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Mucha Foundation, Prague.

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary Tours

Tours available for groups of 10-30 students from November 3rd, 2021 to January 9th, 2022. Students and required chaperones receive free tickets to the exhibition, if arranged at least 4 weeks in advance. 

Recommended for Grades K-5

The Elements in Art Nouveau

Explore the elements of art in this special look into the artwork of art nouveau visionary Alphonse Mucha. Students will follow the sinuous lines and engage with the harmonious compositions in Mucha’s iconic work. This tour meets in the East Building Lobby.

Recommended for Grades 6-8

Art as Advertisement

Alphonse Mucha created graphic illustrations as advertisements for commercial products and theatrical productions. How do these advertisements compare to the ones we see today? What did Mucha aim to do through his design style? Explore these questions and more as students engage with this special showcase of Mucha’s work. This tour meets in the East Building Lobby.

Recommended for Grades 9-12

Beauty Standards & Representations of Women

What were the beauty standards of the early 20th century that Mucha perpetuated through his work? How do they differ from yet inform today’s definitions of beauty? To explore representations of black women and girls that re-articulate their beauty, students will also visit work by the Beautiful Project in an adjacent exhibition. This tour meets in the East Building Lobby.

Self-Guided Groups

A limited number of free tickets to special exhibitions is available for school groups (not youth groups) of up to 30 students with an educator chaperone for each group of 10 Wednesday through Friday at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm. Please read through the Checklist for Self-Guided Groups. Please note: We do NOT book group reservations during the final two weeks of a special exhibition. 

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