Alphonse Mucha 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition St. Louis World's Fair Poster
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1903
This lithographic poster, created by the renowned artist Alphonse Mucha circa 1903, served as advance publicity for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St.
Louis. Printed by the Parisian firm Imp. F. Champenois, the work features a quintessential Art Nouveau aesthetic. The central composition depicts an idealized, ethereal female figure allegorically clasping hands with a Native American chief, symbolizing the connection between the Old World and the expanding American frontier. The design incorporates motifs related to science and industry, including gear-like imagery.
The text, printed in French, promotes travel from Paris to St. Louis, specifying a journey of six days by steamer and one day by train. It also provides administrative contact information and highlights the expansive scale of the fair in comparison to previous international expositions. The poster measures approximately 30 3/8 inches by 41 5/8 inches and features the artist's signature and date in the lower right corner.
It is presented in a modern frame.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- paper
- Dimensions
- 30 3/8" x 41 5/8" (poster), 33" x 44 1/4" (overall)
Technical characteristics
- Printing method
- lithograph
Design
- Obverse
- idealized female figure clasping hands with a Native American chief, themes of science and industry
- Inscriptions
- Alphonse Mucha, Imp. F. Champenois - Paris, text regarding 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition and travel logistics
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Alphonse Mucha
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.