Alphonse Mucha was the defining master of the Art Nouveau movement. He achieved overnight fame in Paris in 1895 with his revolutionary theater poster for actress Sarah Bernhardt, and transformed commercial advertising into fine art.

His iconic style featured idealized, graceful women wrapped in flowing gowns. Mucha framed his subjects with lush botanical elements, soft pastel colors, and halo-like decorative patterns. This distinct, elegant look quickly dominated European poster design and consumer products.

Later in life, Mucha walked away from commercial success to focus on his heritage. He returned to his homeland, and spent his final decades creating a monumental series of epic canvases detailing Slavic history.