I’ve had a copy of the Dover edition of these plates for some time, but it’s good to find a digital copy at last, especially now I can see that Dover bleached all the subtle background tones to a solid white. The artwork looks much better in its original state. It was also a little surprising to discover that Documents Décoratifs was originally a collection of loose sheets in a portfolio, not a book as I always thought.
The plates were Alphonse Mucha’s contribution to that small collection of publications intended to assist other designers and craftspeople in their decorative work. Mucha’s drawings break down his style into a series of isolated motifs and design elements: panels, borders, figures, flowers, lettering and other details, together with a few pages of more complete designs. He also offers several pages of suggestions for applying his Art Nouveau flourishes to jewellery, furniture and other household objects. I’ve used parts of these designs a few times in my own work, most recently in the Bumper Book of Magic. Even if you don’t have a practical use for the plates they’re all very beautiful pieces in themselves, especially the pencil drawings.
Previously on { feuilleton }
• Alphonse Mucha et Son Oeuvre
• Alphonse Mucha’s Ilsée, Princesse de Tripoli
• Alphonse Mucha record covers
• Combinaisons Ornementales
Clip art has gone a long way downhill since this.
I have a couple of muchas old posters would like to know if they are worth anything if you can help me? My number 251 395 1173.. Thanks Dusty Reeves
Hello. I used to have a note below the comment box here asking people not to request art valuations. You need to find yourself an art dealer or auction house.