Alphonse Mucha mighta beenjust another commercial hack,
painting pictures
with which to sell beer
biscuits
bicycles
blueing
chocolate
and soap.
But Sarah Bernhardt
loved the painting
he did for her—
and a style was born.
Art Nouveau was just his thing!
My friend Fireblossom
over at
over at
asked us to write a poem based on the art of Alphonse Mucha, born in 1860 and among the first to die in one of Hitler's camps in 1939.
11 comments:
I didn't know he died in the camps - what a waste of talent.
I like how you contrasted the practical usage of his pictures with the portrait of an iconic woman of his time.
There was actually a period of time when he created some phenomenal pieces outside of this style. I don't care for most of his work, but some of the pieces are quite moving.
rosemarymint.wordpress.com
I enjoyed your poem about Alphonse Mucha. I myself am still trying to be inspired.
Oh my goodness, I didnt know he died in the camps either. SO talented. His women are glorious, and so romantically dressed. Love the poem, kiddo........so cool that Sarah Bernhardt was painted by him.
You made the artist and his art so interesting in your poem. Sorry that he died in a concentration camp, such a waste of talent.
I, too, was unaware he died in the camps. What a tragic waste of such talent, but then that could be said of all who were sacrificed on the alter of war.
Love the laughter in this poem, sometimes great art and great movements spring from the most unusual places!
It's interesting that someone with such talent used it commercially to illustrate advertising. Many other artists have done the same. That in itself illustrates the term "starving artist," doesn't it? Talented artists have to eat too.
Facism is a terrible hater of individuality--you can see it working now in our own country, despising and isolating the 'different'--our dark-skinned President derided for his supposed differences as an eater of dogs and a secret Muslim, etc-so much of the past was 'genetically cleansed ' by that evil, and Mucha did indeed die for his involvement in celebrating, unearthing and trying to promote Czech and Slavic history, as well as his Czech blood. He was a rather unique figure, I think with a unique talent. Enjoyed your poem, Kay--excuse me for rattling on like this, but you raised some issues that always set me off. ;_)
Ah, the Divine Sarah! I love the way you laid out the paintings with the text here, Kay.
I didn't know that he died in the camps, either. The comments here have been quite interesting to read!
Nice! Interesting tid-bit, thank you!
A fantastic poem and a history lesson. Very glad I stopped by. Hope things are well with you.
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