Alphonse Mucha

[kybearfuzz]

Last weekend I was looking around the bookstore and found a discounted coffee table book about Alphonse Mucha, the Czech painter who was a very popular painter, poster artist, and commercial art designer of the late 19th and early 20th century. I've seen many framed posters of his work and have always loved his style.

I think that a lot of comic book artists have been influenced by his work, most obvious to me is Adam Hughes, whose covers of Wonder Woman have the same heavy outlined women with the flowing, blending hair and the looping background or foreground designs. Both have strong art nouveau looks.

Mucha did series of four set paintings of the Seasons, each time of year being represented by a beautiful woman with flowing hair and/or gowns. I've thought about doing a similar set of cartoons using bears. I think I'll have to wait until after the holidays, but I'm throwing ideas about in my noggin. My favorite example of the Seasons by Mucha is behind the cut.



The Seasons by Alphonse Mucha

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I've always liked Mucha, too. His art defined art nouveau. He did several other versions of the seasons, as well. And I'd love to see a bear version of the seasons.

Wuuuf.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I *think* this is the 1896 version of the seasons and it's my favorite one of the series he did.

And a bear version of the seasons would be fun!! :)

Mucha Love

[phenryss.livejournal.com]

I love - love - love Alphonse Mucha. I agree that Adam Hughes is invluenced by the style. I wish I could find more of Mucha's work. It seems like there is only a small bunch that comes up in search engines. Frustrating.

What was the name of the book?

Hugs!

Re: Mucha Love

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

The title is "Alphonse Mucha Masterworks" by Rosalind Ormiston (http://www.amazon.com/ALPHONSE-MUCHA-MASTERWORKS-ROSALIND-ORMISTON/dp/1844517306/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259930820&sr=1-5). I found it in the bargain books section of Barnes & Noble for $14.95.

The book is really good, IMHO, and has some of the posters that he did for the French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, who ended up being his supporter for years. The book has a lot of history in it as well.

Hugs! :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The drawings are beautiful! I like the idea of a Bear version ... Can I be Fall? *jumping up and down* .. Pick me! Pick me as a model! I'm too young to be Winter:) LOL!

HUGS!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oooh.. you'd make an awesome Autumn bear I think :)

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm old enough to be Winter.
Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pretty please? Huh?

;-)

[grande.livejournal.com]

I met adam hughes at comic con this past year and picked up a few limited edition prints signed by him. they were the white queen / dark queen and rather exquisite opposites of each other.

we talked briefly about how he draws women, and how he is very opposed to the bad girl concept in how he draws his women.

he is by far my #1 favorite re: comic drawings, but he's so much more talented than that.

i should probably also mention that he's kind of bearish, which i'm sure some people enjoy :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oh, I would love to have gone to Comic Con and bought some of those prints. I've never been to a real comic convention.

I really enjoy his artwork and I can see why he's such in demand as a cover artist. I think he's doing the interiors for All-Star Wonder Woman that's coming out in a bit.

And he's cute ;)

[ui-tomcat.livejournal.com]

I think I know a talented artist with an eye for drawing bears