Alphonse Maria Mucha (1860-1939)

Zdenka Cerny - The Greatest Bohemian Violon Cellist

1913 - 1914

The lithograph poster in multiple colors depicting Czech/American violoncellist Zdenka Cerny seated before a Secession-style music stand with her violincello; signed in the plate and dated 1913, I/III, imprinter's stamp V. Neubert Smichor, Prague, illustrated and printed for Zdenka Cerny's European tour as a musician.
'Mucha worked from a photograph of Zdenka with a cello, but idealized her face by investing it with a spiritual quality, her love of music. He created a unique poster-portrait by adjusting the slant of her head, softening her expression, lightening the hair, lifting the hand turning the sheet music, and elongating the body. Two circles, one with lilies symbolizing Zdenka's youthful innocence, the other with laurels of her past triumphs, complete the design suffused with warm light' (Mucha/Art Nouveau, p. 180).
Full sheet with borders on linen mount.

Frame measures 82.25 x 51.5 inches.

Provenance: The Estate of Robert Allan Haas

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Good restored condition, the complete sheet, two small dark spots, otherwise clean and without major stain, mounted on linen, restoration of long creases or tears, particularly vertically along the right side of the figure and into the upper area of the instrument.