Alphonse-Marie Mucha (1860-1939) rare original lithographed poster "Gismonda", (Plate 27) ca. 1894. Done for the Theatre de la Renaissance. Classic Art Nouveau. Signed in the tone lower left. Printed by Imprimerie Chaix (lower left) and under mat. Les Maitre de L'Affiche blind stamp lower right corner under mat. In gilt wood frame with rounded corners. Mucha executed a number of designs which were used on menus, postcards and other publicity. Professionally framed, hand painted period frame, under non glare, minor loss to side of frame. In Frame measures 23"x15"x2. Sight 14"x5 1/2". Weight 4 pds 9 oz. PROVENANCE: A Private Pawleys Island SC Estate. Gismonda, Victorien Sardou's four-act play, was premiered in the autumn of 1894 at the Theatre de la Renaissance in Paris. Sarah Bernhardt was both director and actor. This poster by Mucha was produced to promote the new production which opened on 4 January, 1895. Mucha portrayed Bernardt as an exotic Byzantine noblewoman wearing a splendid gown and an orchid headdress holding a palm branch in her hand. This costume was worn in the last act, the climax of the play, where she joined the Easter procession. Placing her life-size figure on an arched platform, Mucha rendered the beauty and dignity of her personality onstage rather than representing her realistic features or the story. Bernhardt was so delighted with Mucha's design, that she continued to use this poster for her American tour in 1896.

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