There are a pair of decorative panels by Alphonse Mucha entitled 'Eclat du Jour (Daytime Dash)' and 'Rêverie du soir (Evening Reverie)' from the 'Heures du Jour (Times of the Day)' series of 4 panels, included in the printer Champenois catalogue of 1899. They were usually sold in pairs or in the full series.
These masterworks are today extremely rare, especially with the tittle and margin intact.
(Réf: Alphonse Mucha, J. Rennert et A. Weil n° 62).
Mucha reused many of the elements which characterize his Art Nouveau work: elegant sensual young women surrounded by symbolic motifs and ornamental details which recall natural and vegetable forms that occupy the rest of the available space.
The ensemble is framed in Gothic motives which are inspired by stained glass windows.
The young woman in the 'Daytime Dash' is the personification of beauty. A feeling of fulfilment and freedom emanates from her body and the contrapposto movement gives her an assured stance.
On the contrary, in the 'Evening reverie' Mucha draws a languid beauty who supports her head with her hands in a dreamy, typically romantic way. The subtle play of light and the use of restrained semi-tones on her face, heightens her nostalgic expression.
- Condition A-
- Code W075200
