Job, 1896
Alphonse Mucha; Printer: F. Champenois, Parisexpand_more
Color lithographexpand_more
Gift of Mrs. Charles B. Meechexpand_more P.91.1.8
Not on Viewexpand_more
Proponents of the Art Nouveau movement of the late 1800s sought escape from the limitations of past traditions, and they achieved it by creating a new style. By applying this style to all forms of creativity, they hoped to eliminate the separation between art and craft. Alphonse Mucha did just that by treating the poster, humbly temporary and commercial, like a canvas.
The Job cigarette paper being advertised also represents literal escape. Despite Mucha's use of an idealized female in this poster, respectable women of the nineteenth century did not smoke. This pleasure belonged to men, who could use it as an excuse to retreat into smoking rooms and the company of male friends.
Details
- Title
- Job
- Artist Life
- 1860 - 1939
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.91.1.8
- Provenance
- Nanette H. Meech; given to MIA, 1991.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Rennert/Weill 15; DFP-II 635; Maites pl. 202; Lendl 49; Spirit of Art Nouveau 20; Wember 609; Weill 58; Triumph des Jugendstils p. 57
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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