Monaco - Monte Carlo 11x14 Print

11x14 Print
Monaco - Monte Carlo (Primary Title), 1897
Alphonse Mucha, Czech, active in France, 1860 - 1939 (Artist)

Alphonse Mucha was one of the most well-known Art Nouveau artists working in Paris at the end of the 19th century. A renowned commercial illustrator, he was commissioned by PLM Railway Services to design this poster promoting Monaco, Monte-Carlo as a leading destination along their rail line. While the sunburst of flowers behind the woman alludes to the spokes of a train’s wheel, Mucha provided a more literal representation of the riviera by depicting the Opéra of Monte-Carlo building hidden in the background. The opera house was located directly adjacent to the PLM railway station. Mucha also designed jewelry and sculpture, examples of which can be viewed in VMFA’s Decorative Arts galleries on Level 3.