Alphonse Mucha "Incantation" L'Estampe Moderne, 1897

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

May 1, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-01 10:00:00 2025-05-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethno-fine-art-19334
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• Lot Description

  Alphonse Mucha (Czech-born expatriate in Paris, 1860-1939). "Incantation" (Salammbo) Lithograph in colors, Plate from L'Estampe Moderne, 1897. Printed by Champenois, Paris. L'Estampe Moderne blindstamp depicting a young woman in profile lower right. Signed in plate at lower left. One of only two plates that Alphonse Mucha designed for L'Estampe Moderne, a publication that appeared as a series of 24 monthly fascicles from 1897 to 1899, and featured many of the most sought after Art Nouveau artists of the day, including Mucha who also created the cover design for L'Estampe. "Incantation (Salammbo)" is among Mucha's finest works, demonstrating his signature Art Nouveau style with expressive sensuality, sinuous lines, and rich hues. Also accompanied by L'Estampe Moderne's dust jacket for "Incantation" that states this plate was executed as a special supplement for one-year subscribers of L'Estampe as well as an antique frame. Size: 16" L x 12" W (40.6 cm x 30.5 cm)
  
  More about the iconograph of this piece: "In 1862 Gustave Flaubert wrote his romantic novel 'Salammbo' about the fictional daughter of Hamilcar Barca, the barbaric ruler of Carthage as a subject, in which she was searching for a magic veil ('le Zaimph' seen here trailing from her shoulder) that was stolen from the city shortly after the First Punic War. Salammbo falls in love with the barbarian Matho, the man who stole the veil. When Matho is caught and tortured to death, she chooses to die rather than marry the man she was meant for. The Zaimph has brought death upon those who touched it. / Gustave Flaubert's 'Salammbo' is an often stirring mixture and intertwining of the history of the Punic Wars and of the myths held by the people of ancient Carthage. It includes some of the most erotic passages in 19th century literature, between the lovely and exotically beautiful Salammbo and Matho, the leader of the barbarians. / In the scene created by Mucha, a priestess advises Salammbo during a session of incantation, that without reobtaining the Zaimph, Carthage is doomed." (source: Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge)
  
  About the Artist: Born in Ivancice, Moravia, Alphonse Mucha began his studies at the Academie Julian, Paris in 1887 sponsored by a patron in Moravia. Funding from that patron ran out after several years of painting murals, and Mucha suffered from poverty and illness due to malnutrition. Life took a positive turn following his recovery. Mucha and his contemporary Paul Gauguin traveled and shared a studio. Their friendship and mutual support refueled Mucha, and his unique style, replete with meticulous design motifs, Byzantine-inspired mosaic patterns, and elegant woman subjects, evolved. Mucha's work resonated with the actress Sarah Bernhardt who commissioned him to create posters for her shows as well as costume and stage designs. Mucha's star rose through this exposure and he became a sought after graphic artist associated with the Art Nouveau movement.
  
  Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection
  
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  #193241

  Condition

  L'Estampe Moderne blindstamp depicting a young woman in profile lower right. Signed in plate at lower left. Very good condition commensurate with age. Normal toning. Crease at upper right margin that does not impact the image. No tears or signs of restoration. Slight mat burn at edges. Imagery and hues are strong. Accompanied by a frame with glass. Expected age wear to the frame. Glass is intact. Also accompanied by paper dust jacket published by L'Estampe that states that this plate was executed as a special supplement for one-year subscribers of L'Estampe. Normal age wear with toning and some tears/losses to edges of this dust jacket.

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