Alphonse Maria Mucha (Czechoslovakian, 1860-1939)

Item Description

Illustration art for May 1922 cover of Hearst's International Magazine. Oil on Canvas laid down on board, 15.5" x 20" Signed LR "Mucha" with Silver paint Medallion, framed under glass. Owned by Alfred Cheney Johnston, Pencil Sketches on Top right reverse, Appears to be original frame. Hearst's International Magazine commissioned Alphonse Mucha for series of Covers in 1921-22. The first of four original works ran in December of 1921, but as the months went on, Mucha became much more involved in his masterwork, the Slav Epic. He then adapted existing works in order to complete his obligation to the magazine. This may well be a cut down version of an earlier work that was then used for the cover of the May 1922 issue. Earlier letters can be seen just below the current visible signature, and a line where the painting was scored (and eventually cut) in order to fit the format of the magazine cover. Also: Please see Christies sale 1895 Lot # 180 October 24th 2007 for similar work. Many thanks to John and Sarah Mucha for authenticating this work.