Poster, La Dame aux Camelias, Alphonse Mucha, 1896
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1896
Alphonse Mucha La Dame aux Camelias vintage poster 1896 82 h x 29.625 w in (208 x 75 cm) "Alexander Dumas Jr.'s drama... had been very popular since its premier in 1852. Sarah Bernhardt considered it to be the key drama in her repertoire. This is perhaps Mucha's most beautiful poster. The story of the tragic love of the great courtesan is portrayed in the poster with shocking impact.
The figure of the heroine in a white robe leans against a balustrade with a background of silver stars. Her rich swept-back hair is adorned with her favorite flower, the camellia. This heraldic flower is repeated at the bottom of the poster, held by a mysterious hand... The tragedy is also symbolized by the hearts twined by thorny branches in the corners above the figure's head... Mucha's ability to characterize the substance of the play for which he created this poster, as well as his ability to express the most beautiful features of Sarah's personality, was brought to perfection in this poster" (Mucha/Art Nouveau, p. 146). This is a two-sheet poster. An example of this poster is held in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Imp.
F. Champenois, Paris Literature: Rennert/Weill, 13, Var. 1; Lendl/Prague, p. 45; Mucha/Art Nouveau, 8; DFP-II, 267; Maitres, 144; Weill, p. 40; Reims, 898; PAI-LXXXVII, 379 This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
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
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 208 x 75 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable; the text keeps only the listing's object facts (condition, price and sale wording removed). Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Candidate id
- inv-207097816
- Auction house
- Poster Auctions International Inc
- Listing object ID
- 207097816
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.