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3500 - 5000 - Alphonse MUCHA (1860–1939)
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Description
Alphonse MUCHA (1860–1939) *The Lady of the Camellias*, Sarah Bernhardt, Théâtre de la Renaissance. 1896. Printed by Champenois. 210 x 77.5 cm. Signs of wear, tears, sun-faded. Original poster in two unassembled sheets, lithographic print. References: Rennert – Weill 13. *The Lady of the Camellias* draws us into the relationship that Alexandre Dumas the Younger had in his youth with the demi-mondaine Marie Duplessis. Whilst the novel was an immediate success, so too was the stage adaptation he produced in 1852. The opera that Verdi composed based on this novel, *La Traviata*, was also a success, even though its premiere remains one of the most resounding failures in the history of opera. Nevertheless, this failure was attributed to the cast and not to the opera itself. It was by chance that ‘La Divine’ came to perform this play. In 1880, during her American tour, she was recommended to take on the role of Marguerite. The actress sensed that this tragic love story might capture the interest of American audiences. She was right, as the play’s premiere in New York was a huge success. But in puritanical America, the actress also received numerous criticisms from admirers who were outraged to see her playing a wanton woman, which amused her greatly. It was not until 1896 that she staged the play at her own theatre, commissioning Mucha, her regular poster artist, to create this remarkable poster.
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About the sale 20TH-CENTURY DECORATIVE ARTS AND MODERN PAINTINGS
Auction location
Auction time 10/31/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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